PNoy convinced with MILF's sincerity in peace talks

MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III today said that he is convinced with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front's (MILF) sincerity in pursuing the peace talks with the government.

In a press briefing at Malacañang this afternoon, Aquino announced that the MILF "have been showing that (sincerity in the peace talks) already."

Aquino hinted that the MILF is already helping the Armed Forces of the Philippines in its operations against "lawless elements" who are believed responsible in recent attacks in Basilan, Lanao del Norte and Zamboanga Sibugay.

"I am not at liberty to tell you where there has been cooperation because that would jeopardize the ongoing operations," he said.

He said that the government will be asking for more proofs of sincerity from the MILF and he believes that "this will be demonstrated."

Answering questions from the media, Aquino expressed that he is also not convinced that the attacks in the three provinces are sanctioned by the MILF leadership.

He said that military troops are now conducting operations, but not against the MILF. He said the operations are aimed at crushing lawless elements.

Early today, the military pounded an area in Payao town in Zamboanga Sibugay. Military spokesman Lt. Col. Randolph Cabangbang said that the area was an MILF bailiwick.

President Aquino, however, clarified that the area is being occupied by at least 150 lawless elements.

He said that the military is currently pursuing suspects in the October 18 attack in Al-Barka, Basilan, but expressed that he does not believe that MILF fighters are involved in the killing of the soldiers.

This was despite the MILF's confirmation that all of the fighters encountered by the soldiers in Sitio Bakisung in Al-Barka are Moro rebels.

Informed of the MILF's confirmation that the soldiers were attacked by its "mujahideen," the President simply said that he has not visited the Moro group's website (luwaran.com).

"I'm sorry, I did not view their website," the President said.

Two days after the attack in Al-Barka, MILF fighters conducted three separate ambuscades in Zamboanga Sibugay, killing four soldiers and three policemen.

Two more soldiers, a militiaman and five civilians were also killed in separate attacks in Basilan and Lanao del Norte over the weekend.

All-out justice

In a statement read by Aquino during the press conference, he maintained the administration's position against the declaration of an all-out-war against the separatist group, believing that such action is not appropriate "at this point in time."

"We will not pursue all out war. We will instead pursue all-out justice," said Aquino, referring justice for all the soldiers that have been killed in the series of attacks in the three provinces.

He said he is not interested in doing "major reaction" that will jeopardize the government's effort to seal a peace deal with the Moro rebels in Mindanao.

"We have to exhaust all possibilities of attaining peace through dialogue," he added.

He explained that an all-out-war against the MILF will put more innocent civilian lives in Mindanao at risk, while citing that he already instructed intensified operations against those groups who perpetrated that attack in Basilan, Zamboanga Sibugay and Lanao del Norte.

"There is no question that the state will find them; the question is only when," he pointed out. "Sa mga darating na linggo,iisa-isang mananagot ang mga criminal na ito."

On answering queries on how his administration will maintain the ceasefire while pursuing the MILF perpetrators, Aquino said the operation would not be launched against the MILF but "on several personalities."

He added that the Payao operation was intended for a group of more or less 150 rebels, based on the request of the local government units to "flush out" the rebel's camp in the area.

He also hinted that the government is conducting "back-door channels" with the MILF leadership to help the government in pursuing the groups that staged the series of attacks in Mindanao.

"We are asking their cooperation, in (lieu) of the peace process, to demonstrate their goodwill at this point in time in helping us arrest these lawless elements," he pointed out.