Respect for MILF ‘areas of temporary stay’ depends on military–Aquino spokesman

MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang is deferring to the military on the issue of whether to honor the Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s so-called “areas of temporary stay” or ATS and other matters related to the Moro rebels and the government’s pursuit of lawless elements in MILF strongholds in Mindanao.

Confronted with the issue of the Armed Forces’ position that an agreement on the establishment of the ATS would no longer stop government forces from going into MILF territory while in pursuit of lawless elements, presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said the matter was up to the military.

“With respect to ATS, with respect to dealing with (the MILF) and with also the lawless elements, we leave it with the AFP and (the coordinating council on the cessation of hostilities) to operationalize those details,” Lacierda said on radio.