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Jinggoy urges PNoy to declare an all-out war vs rebels, terrorists
Posted: October 24th, 2011 @ 3:33am
Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada strongly urged the Aquino administration to consider an “all-out war” against rebel and terrorist groups which have disrupted the long-sought peace and order as well as progress in the Mindanao region.
Estrada’s statement came after Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) killed 23 soldiers and three policemen in separate incidents since Tuesday.
This developed as Estrada lambasted Presidential Adviser on Peace Process Secretary Teresita “Ging” Quintos-Deles for being “too insensitive.”
Last Tuesday, 19 soldiers were killed in Al-Barka, Basilan by MILF under Commander Dan Asnawi.
MILF troops attacked again on Wednesday in Sibugay, Zamboanga that claimed the lives of four soldiers and three policemen.
Estrada said Deles should immediately tender her resignation as Presidential Adviser on Peace Process following the “blatant disregard” of the MILF with the ongoing peace process.
“Contrary to what Secretary Deles had said, this is not an isolated case. Maybe she is too insensitive. Secretary Deles open her eyes that such incident is a blatant disregard of the ongoing peace talks with the MILF,” Estrada said.
Estrada said if MILF leadership is “sincere to enter peace agreement” with the Philippine government, the Muslin rebels must lay down their firearms and immediately surrender or turn over those involved in the carnage including Commander Dan Asnawi before pursuing peace talks.
According to Estrada, President Noynoy Aquino should suspend the cease fire and declare an “all-out-war” against the MILF to bring justice to the slain soldiers and policemen.
“As the government has re-initiated a policy of peaceful and diplomatic negotiations, the other side has shown modest interest in attaining long-lasting peace, especially considering their latest show of aggression where 23 of our soldiers and three policemen have died,” Estrada said.
Estrada also cited the need to end the strife in Southern Philippines at the soonest possible time, if President Aquino is serious is alleviating poverty for the majority of citizens in Mindanao.
“The people of Mindanao is acknowledged to be the poorest citizens of the country and one of the main reasons is the longest-running rebellion which delays the investments and livelihood generation, despite the region’s huge potential and rich resources,” Estrada said, adding:
“Ending the rebellion in Mindanao will be doing justice to the people who have suffered long enough because of the infighting.”
Estrada was one of those who welcomed President Aquino’s move to talk with the MILF leadership in Japan last August, as he believed that this would provide “fresh impetus” for concrete developments in Mindanao.
“We were then hopeful that the MILF would take advantage of the change of leadership in the Philippine government, but apparently we were all taken for a ride by the rebels and they never considered diplomacy as a viable option to attain peace. Obviously, they are provoking the national government to use brute force.”
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