VP BINAY – GOVT WILL SURELY ACT ON RECENT MILF ATTACKS; PERPETRATORS OF ZAMBOANGA SIBUGAY AMBUSH MUST BE PUNISHED

Vice President Jejomar C. Binay on Monday gave assurance that the government will take action against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) for the reported ambush on government troops in Zamboanga Sibugay and other parts of Mindanao over the weekend.

“Basta makakasiguro kayo na magkakaroon ng action. There will be more orders and more action plans taken by the government in light of what has happened. The firefights have increased. These incidents need to be considered,” he said during an interview at the 1st Philippine Anti-Counterfeiting and Piracy Summit at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel.

“What I can tell you is that there will a lot more action coming from the President,” he added.

Binay said pursuing peace talks does not mean that government should not pursue those responsible for the ambush in Zamboanga Sibugay, whch resulted in the death of soldiers and policemen.

“We have to go after the perpetrators of the Zamboanga Sibugay ambush. In Basilan, the MILF claimed they were attacked but it’s a different case in Zamboanga Sibugay. It appears that no one entered their area so it looks like an ambush. We must go after those behind it and put them behind bars,” he said.

Binay expressed his full support for the President’s decision to pursue peace talks with the MILF, and emphasized that a thorough review of the terms of the ceasefire accord is urgently needed.

“I fully support President Aquino’s stand to find a peaceful solution to our problem in the South. But I believe we need to revisit the ceasefire agreement. There might be a lot of loopholes that’s why we cannot pinpoint who is at fault,” he said.

Binay, a reservist Marine with a rank of Lt. Colonel, ALSO said that it was understandable if soldiers feel demoralized in the wake of the recent clashes in Mindanao.

“It is part of Filipino culture that we get hurt when we experience the death of a loved one. With that point of view, we have to give leeway for emotional reactions,” he added.

Asked if aside from the deaths, the members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) were also demoralized because some officers were relieved even before an investigation was concluded, the Vice President said to give decision makers the benefit of the doubt.

“There could be more reasons for their punishment,” he said.