Abaya’s first marching order as AFP chief got the nod of President Arroyo, who affirmed that this is in line with her administration’s "active defense" policy in dealing with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels.
In her speech at the turnover rites yesterday at the Camp Aguinaldo parade grounds, the President credited Abaya’s predecessor, Gen. Dionisio Santiago, for also implementing this policy during his term, specifically in the campaign to remove lawless and armed elements of the MILF from Buliok complex in Pikit, North Cotabato last February.
"I salute you (Santiago) especially for serving our nation with a great help," Mrs. Arroyo said.
General Abaya, she cited, comes to his post at a time of MILF attacks, which she admitted was the consequence of the government’s policy of "active defense" of the local communities against terrorist deprivations.
Mrs. Arroyo mentioned that it was during Abaya’s and Santiago’s watch as Southern Command chief and AFP chief, respectively, that the "greatest victories" by the military in the campaign against the MILF were achieved.
The Chief Executive reiterated, though, that her administration will continue its peace initiatives with MILF rebels who would renounce violence and terrorism.
"Terrorists cannot hide behind pretensions to peace, we will expose them and throw the full force of the law against them," she vowed.
"We will not allow the government to be caught in a squeeze play between terrorism and the peace process," she stressed.
Earlier, the President challenged the leadership of the MILF "to prove they had nothing to do" with the April 2 bombing of the Davao City pier, where 16 people were killed and 55 others injured.
Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said the bombing at Sasa wharf was carried out by members of the special urban terrorist action group (SUTAG) of the MILF.
He claimed SUTAG, operating independently from the MILF but still part of the rebel organization, represented the Indonesia-based Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) terror cell in the Philippines.
"Mayor Duterte may have his own reasons for believing that the MILF has something to do with the bombing. But any action must be based on evidence so that justice can be served," Mrs. Arroyo said.
"But since the issue has been brought out, I strongly urge the MILF leadership to prove they had nothing to do with this particular incident," she strongly urged.
Of the military, she said: "Let no one test their determination to protect the people."