Plain criminal acts, govt officials say of MILF attacks

MANILA, Philippines - Government officials described Monday the attacks in two Lanao del Norte towns by suspected Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels as "plain criminal acts," stressing that security forces were already dealing with the attackers. Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro had ordered troops to clear the towns of Kolambugan and Kauswagan of MILF forces. Suspected MILF rebels also attacked Maasim town in Sarangani province, killing two civilians. On the other hand, Press Secretary Jesus Dureza said government forces are coordinating with concerned local officials on steps they are currently taking. Dureza said this was necessary to prevent civilians from being caught in the crossfire between government and MILF forces. "(The President is) informed every step of the way what is happening there. She is confident the Armed Forces and the police will do what is appropriate to attend to this situation," he said in an interview on dzXL radio. Plain criminal acts Teodoro said the attacks by suspected MILF rebels were "plain criminal acts" that can not be justified by "any form of rebellion." "Maganda ho dito criminal na ho ang trato dito sa mga ‘to," Teodoro said in a radio interview. "Tignan ninyo, nang-hostage ng mga tao sa Kolambugan, nagnakaw dun sa botika sa Maasim. Walang justification ho yan under any form of rebellion, plain criminal acts na ho yan." Teodoro said troops are already taking "appropriate actions" against the armed men who attacked Kolambugan and Kauswagan towns in Lanao de Norte and Maasim town in Sarangani. "The full force of the law must be applied at this time. Hindi ho natin maaring payagan ang mga ganitong violation sa mga karapatan ng ating kababayan," Teodoro said. Teodoro added that in the meantime, his priority is to provide enough resources for government forces in the field and extend aid to internally-displaced people in affected areas. Army spokesman Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner earlier said the MILF forces behind the Lanao del Norte attacks were under Commander Bravo. But the MILF has washed its hands off the attacks. MILF vice chairman for political affairs Ghadzali Jaafar said they are still "verifying" whether the forces involved in the incidents are indeed from their ranks. "As far as the leadership of the MILF is concerned, walang utos ang leadership (the MILF leadership has given no order to attack)," Jaafar said in an interview on dzRH radio. - Amita Legaspi, Johanna Camille Sisante, GMANews.TV