AFP urged to review security policies after MILF attacks

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) should review its security policies in Mindanao to prevent further attacks from members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), retired senior military officials said Monday. Fourteen members of the Association of General and Flag Officers (AGFO) signed a manifestation calling for a review of existing military operational procedures after separate MILF attacks on government troops in Mindanao last week left more than 20 soldiers dead. “This deliberate attack against our troops raises serious doubts on the effectiveness of security policies and AFP operational procedures to contain the threat of terrorism and lawlessness, particularly by groups identified with the MILF," the group said in its resolution. Last Tuesday, 19 soldiers, including four junior officers, were killed in the clash with MILF members in Al-Barka town in Basilan province. The firefight also claimed the lives of several rebels. On Sunday, eight more people, including four civilians, were killed in two separate attacks blamed on the rebel group, bringing to 34 the number of fatalities in the recent skirmishes. Despite the attacks, President Benigno Aquino III said he is not in favor of declaring an all-out war against the MILF. The AFP leadership has also rejected the idea of an all-out war against the MILF following the Basilan clash, which was blamed on tactical errors and undermined the ongoing peace process between the secessionist group and the government. The retired senior military officers also urged the AFP to review the way it selects filed commanders in Mindanao to ensure that only the “most capable" become troop leaders. The retired soldiers who signed the manifestation were led by AGFO chair Lt. Gen. Raul Urgello, vice-chairperson BGen. Romulo Cabantac and secretary Rodolfo Rabago. No to ‘all-out’ war Muslim congressmen, meanwhile, backed President Aquino’s decision not to declare war against the MILF. Tawi-Tawi Rep. Nur Jaafar said an all-out war is not the way to currently deal with the MILF. “Those who committed the crime against our soldier should be put to justice, but not through an all-out war," he said at a press briefing at the House of Representatives on Monday. He added that the government and the AFP should consider reviewing provisions of the ceasefire agreement with the MILF. Lanao del Sur Rep. Pangalian Balindong also rejected proposals to declare war with the MILF, saying that “war is not the path to peace." Even British envoy to the Philippines Stephen Lillie expressed support for the government’s rejection of a war against the MILF, saying “meeting violence with violence will not solve the conflict in southern Philippines. “It [war] is only likely to lead to a downward spiral of killing, with untold misery and suffering for innocent civilians," he said in a separate statement. — Andreo Calonzo/KBK, GMA News