MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang gave assurance yesterday that the peace talks with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the New People’s Army (NPA) will not be affected by the ongoing military operations against terrorist groups in Mindanao.
Solicitor General Jose Calida, in a briefing in Davao City yesterday, said none of the three groups are involved in the rebellion of terrorist groups Maute and Abu Sayyaf.
Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla, AFP spokesman, clarified though that the military would enforce the law, regardless of group affiliation.
“While we maintain that martial law does not target peace-inclined groups, we will enforce the law uniformly such that all violators of the law, regardless of group affiliations, will be dealt with accordingly,” Padilla said.
Calida pointed to information that the attacks staged by the group last May 23 were not focused only on the government but on the indoctrination by non-Muslims and the radicalization of the Filipino Muslim youth.
He added that the “Hilongos, Leyte bombing was the handiwork of young balik-Islam recruits.” ?The solicitor general also denied that the martial law proclamation was a knee-jerk reaction to the IS-inspired violence, citing precursors like the bombings in Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, and Basilan.
Padilla reiterated that martial law is meant to establish law and order in the region as he called on the public to trust the Armed Forces.
In Matuguinao town in Samar, government forces clashed with around 60 NPA members yesterday morning as the rebel group was reportedly ordered to increase the attacks against government targets.
A policeman was also injured after some suspected NPA members launched a roadside bombing in Kidapawan City, North Cotabato. – With Evelyn Macairan, Jaime Laude