MILF units who 'violated law' to get slap on wrist?

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang hinted Friday the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) forces that occupied some towns in North Cotabato since July will get off with a slap on the wrist, all in the name of peace. Press secretary and presidential spokesman Jesus Dureza also said they expect the smooth withdrawal of MILF forces to be completed on Saturday. "Although the MILF action was a 'violation of the law,' the government will persevere in its quest for peace in Mindanao and 'walk an extra mile' to resolve the matter through the ceasefire committee," Dureza said in a statement posted Friday evening on the Office of the Press Secretary website. On Thursday, government security officials gave the MILF 24 hours to vacate the occupied villages, or government forces would launch punitive action against the MILF forces. "Efforts are now ongoing and by tomorrow, Saturday, we foresee smooth withdrawal in these areas have already taken place," Dureza said. The government and the MILF earlier initialed a pact on ancestral domain but the Supreme Court blocked its signing, on the request of groups questioning the deal's lack of transparency. - GMANews.TV