AFP briefs Italian envoy on military efforts for Bossi

By Ronron
July 6, 2007

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. briefed on Friday visiting Italian lawmaker Margherita Boniver about the ongoing efforts of security forces in Mindanao to search and rescue abducted Italian Catholic priest Fr. Gian Carlo Bossi.

AFP Public Information Officer Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro told a news conference at Camp Aguinaldo yesterday that Esperon personally conveyed to Boniver the size of troops scouring the mountains of Mindanao and that both have agreed about not entertaining any demands of ransom.

Bacarro said Esperon also told Boniver about the non-participation of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in the ongoing operations to avoid possible misencounters on the field.

“The Italian envoy was very happy about it, and she appreciated the efforts of our troops there on the field,” Bacarro said.

Bacarrro said Esperon disclosed to Boniver that there are currently three Army battalions, a Light Reaction Company, and Naval and Air assets in the area, conducting search and rescue operations for Bossi.

And they are complemented by some 200 members of the Philippine National Police (PNP), said Bacarro.

“We believe that the number is sufficient enough,” he said.

“And during the discussions, it was emphasized that it is a common policy (for both Philippine and Italian governments) not to yield to ransom demands (by the abductors),” said Bacarro.

As to the MILF’s non-participation, Bacarro said Esperon explained to Boniver that since any rescue operation for Bossi is a delicate one, the participation of the secessionist group could result to “bungled operations.”

“The Chief of Staff conveyed that right now, the MILF is no longer involved to resolve the issue, particularly the rescue of Fr. Bossi because we – AFP-PNP-MILF – are not interoperable,” said Bacarro.

The MILF pulled out its thousand soldiers last Saturday in Lanao del Sur upon the agreement of the GRP-MILF Adhoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG).

The MILF troops were helping members of the Philippine Army’s 103rd Infantry Brigade in the ongoing operations in Lanao del Sur. A separate operation is being conducted in Zamboanga Sibugay by elements of the 102nd Infantry Brigade.

Bossi, 57, was supposed to officiate a mass in Barangay Bulawan, Payao, Zamboanga Sibugay when 10 armed men snatched him last June 10.

Bacarro said Esperon and Boniver met at around lunchtime yesterday at an undisclosed place outside Camp Aguinaldo. Boniver arrived in the country Thursday./DMS