PGMA calls on Filipino people to rally behind troops, vows to pursue military action vs. terrorists
Palace aborts KL talks with MILF
PGMA orders "humanitarian offensive" in Basilan, Sulu
By Lilybeth G. Ison
MANILA
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has ordered the conduct a "humanitarian offensive" in Basilan and Sulu provinces and other areas in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
In the Administrative Order no. 192, the President stressed that despite the recent hostilities in the area, the police and military operations in the two provinces shall be "balanced with full-scale development offensive, a humanitarian invasion, so to speak."
Under the AO, President Arroyo directed Health Secretary Francisco Duque and Social Welfare and Development Secretary Esperanza Cabral to ensure the care and comfort of those who might be displaced due to the ongoing military offensive against terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group and other Muslim extremists.
She said all government initiatives shall be packaged under a Health, Education, Livelihood Progress (HELP) program for Basilan and Sulu provinces.
However, the President vowed to pursue offensives against the al Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf Group, saying that the extremist group should be punished for the death of the soldiers.
"Hindi tayo aatras sa pakikibaka upang mabigyan ng katarungan ang ating mga Marines, at upang mabigyan ng kapayapaan at kaunlaran ang bayan (We are not going to back out in the fight so that we can give justice to our Marines and to bring peace and progress to our country)," said President Arroyo in her opening statement Tuesday at the meeting of the National Security Council (NSC) in Malacanang.
"While we understand calls to stop the military offensives, we should also understand that our country won’t have security if we will not be able to give justice to our soldiers who died fighting for the Republic. Instead, the terrorists will be emboldened if they will not be made to pay for their criminal act against our heroic soldiers,†she added.
The President said with the victory of the troops and police against terrorists in Basilan and Sulu, "it is not farfetched for them to attempt to sow terror in other parts of the country."
"That is why, I have ordered our national police and armed forces to coordinate with local governments and the people to safeguard our cities and communities against any terrorist plot," she added.
Government forces on Sunday bombarded Muslim rebel strongholds with artillery in Basilan, a day after 14 Marines and one pilot and 40 extremists were killed in a fierce clash.
The Marines were killed when their unit attacked a jungle hideout of the Abu Sayyaf near Basilan's remote Ungkaya Pukan town, sparking a day-long firefight during which an air force pilot also died when his helicopter crashed at sea, the military said.
The military claimed that about 40 Abu Sayyaf insurgents were killed, including two commanders who allegedly took part in last month's beheadings of 10 Marines in Basilan.
In nearby Jolo, Sulu, government troops raided a suspected Abu Sayyaf safe house in Indanan town early Sunday and took into custody 19 men, women and children, said army Major General Ruben Rafael said.
After their interrogation, he said, some 14 were released and investigators were trying to determine if the other five were Abu Sayyaf gunmen.
Meanwhile, the President appealed to the public not to be swayed by propaganda seeking to divide the Armed Forces and to promote "selfish politicking."
“In our fight against enemies who threaten our peace and progress, it is important that we unite and not be swayed by those who seek to divide our Armed Forces and country through deceitful and false propaganda,†she said.
“Our only country is facing chaos. Let us not surrender her to our enemies who seek only to destroy and promote selfish interests,†she added.
President Arroyo also rallied the people to support the soldiers, who are putting their lives on the line to defend democracy and to pave the way for economic development in the region.
"Ongoing operations against rearguard actions of a despised and defeated group are meant to clear the path for these provinces' journey to peace and progress, which terror has delayed for so long," she said.
The President, on the other hand, said peace efforts with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) would be pursued although this Wednesday’s talks in Malaysia have been cancelled.
According to chief government negotiator Rodolfo Garcia, he sought the postponement to give him more time to consolidate data and the government's position.
President Arroyo said she expected talks to resume next month.
She also announced the holding of a peace and security assembly to be held on August 23 and 24 in Bohol Province as an initiative of the local government to secure peace in the region. (PNA)
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