AFP counters US official’s assessment on Mindanao

By Ronron
May 5, 2005

The Philippine military countered on Thursday the statement of a visiting official of the United States that Mindanao remains to be a dangerous place.

“The situation in Mindanao, particularly in Central Mindanao and Sulu province, is generally peaceful,” Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Public Information Officer (PIO) Lt. Col. Buenaventura Pascual told reporters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

Pascual said the AFP is continuing its operations against the Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) and the Abu Sayaff Group (ASG) in Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat provinces to ensure that the region is terror-free.

He said the military is also working with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) leadership when it conducts combat operations in MILF-known lairs in Central Mindanao.

“The government is pushing the peace negotiations with the MILF because we believe that it is the ultimate solution for a lasting peace in Central Mindanao,” Pascual said.

The military spokesman belied reports that MILF members have joined forces with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) faction under former MNLF leader Nur Misuari.

“Brig. Gen. Ramon Santos (co-chairman of the Joint Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities) said that he clarified this matter to the MILF,” said Pascual, adding that the MILF leadership even offered assistance for mediation to resolve the conflict the Misuari Breakaway Group (MBG) in Sulu.

Pascual also expressed appreciation on the support being given by the US government for the development of Sulu.

“The AFP welcomes the US support in terms of training and humanitarian assistance to the people of Mindanao. We all know that these US engineering projects and medical-civic action groups complements the government and AFP’s program to alleviate the condition of our people in the area,” Pascual said.

A 25-man US contingent is now in Sulu, conducting humanitarian assistance assessment mission./DMS