THE TRUTH IN BASILAN WILL STILL PREVAIL

“The main and real target of the Marines and SAF operations in Basilan are not the Abu Sayyaf Group but the MILF forces”- This has been the statement of an MILF leader who keeps on promulgating issues to reverse the truth in the Basilan attack that left 23 soldiers killed and dozens wounded.

On August 12, 2009, the Philippine Marines and Army forces launched an offensive against the Abu Sayyaf Group in its camp at Brgy Ungkaya Pukan, Tipo-Tipo Basilan that unexpectedly led to a bloody engagement between the military troops and the members of MILF. The MILF leadership claimed that the Philippine Marines were also targeting the MILF.

The number of fatalities and the wounded could not have been this large would the MILF in the nearby Al-Barka town - the supposed area of temporary stay (ATS) of the rebel group, not sent reinforcement with the ASG and ambush the convoy of government forces. The picture of the slain MILF leader testifies the Moro rebel’s criminal involvement in the said attack.

Once again, the MILF has shown its treachery, and deceit. It has once again shown disrespect on the on going peace negotiation itself, which was highly respected and recognized by the government.

The incident clearly manifests the collision between the MILF and the ASG.

Undeniably, these two terror groups will again team up against the government forces, not mentioning the terrorist activities they commonly execute against defenseless civilians.

With their deceitful statements, it is too obvious that the MILF is being defensive of the real story. This is blatantly a reverse tactic of misleading the public. It is not surprising if this rebel group never admits to their involvement, but will instead make hypothetical stories to conceal their violation of the cease fire agreement and their unification with the Abu Sayyaf bandits.

Is this the kind of people the Government of the Republic of the Philippines wants to talk peace with? The peace negotiation does not make any sense at all. The attack was, undoubtedly, jeopardizing with or without purpose the renewed peace effort.

Let us give peace a chance! However, we should not just let the MILF get away with its criminal acts.

Let us give justice to the 23 soldiers killed in the Basilan clashes!