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No ceasefire in Sulu -- Arroyo Posted 01:47pm (Mla time) Mar 04, 2005 By Lira Dalangin-Fernandez INQ7.net (2nd UPDATE) THERE will be no ceasefire in Sulu province, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo declared on Friday. �Upon the recommendation of the Secretary of National Defense, I have directed our forces to continue operations in Sulu and to focus on apprehending and neutralizing the remaining leaders and members of the Abu Sayaff, as well as the other groups that were reported [to] have alliances with them," the President said in a statement read by her Spokesman Ignacio Bunye to reporters in Malaca�ang Friday. "At all times, our military and police will not be impeded in their operations to effect public safety and ensure the security of our communities," Arroyo said. She said security forces and local officials would oversee the safe return of the thousands of residents who fled the fighting and help them rebuild their communities. Arroyo said sustained military operations against the loyal followers of Muslim leader Nur Misuari and the Abu Sayyaf have led them to break into smaller groups and go into hiding. Arroyo said she directed the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to file criminal complaints against those who would be found involved �in these acts of terrorism.� Asked if this would include ex-MNLF leader Nur Misuari, whom the military has accused of ordering that attacks against government forces, Defense Secretary Avelino Cruz Jr. said they would await the evidence that would be gathered by authorities. Small units will de deployed in �focused pursuit operations� against splinter groups of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) believed to be hiding in the outskirts of the province, Cruz said. �It will involve small units of the AFP focused on specific targets based on intelligence reports gathered on the ground. There will be many small units in different areas, but because they are small then the resulting engagement will be on a limited scale,� Army commander Lieutenant General Generoso Senga added. Senga said rebel splinter groups have either been pushed father away in the mountains of Sulu or have gone into hiding among civilians. �The punitive action of the armed forces will continue," said Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, adding: "They will not let the rebels reorganize again for an assault on the armed forces.� Arroyo also ordered the Department of Social Welfare and Development to lead government agencies in providing relief and rehabilitation to families displaced by the fighting that has claimed the lives of at least 100 soldiers and rebels since Misuari followers backed by Abu Sayyaf militants launched attacks on military outposts in Jolo on February 7. Presidential adviser on the peace process Teresita Deles said there were 7,096 affected families. Cruz said about two thirds of the families have already returned to their homes. Presidential assistant for Mindanao Jesus Dureza could not provide figures on the damage caused by the clashes. Deles could only report that in Panamao town, eight houses and a mosque had been completely destroyed. Two school buildings were also damaged, she said. �I think we can say that damage was very contained,� she added. Without giving an exact figure, Dureza said the funds to be used for the rehabilitation of communities would come from the national government, local government funds, and donations from non-government organizations and the European Union. AFP Chief of Staff General Efren Abu visited Jolo early this week on the orders of Arroyo to look into the possibility of a ceasefire but Armed Forces spokesman Brigadier General Jose Honrado said military commanders there did not recommend it. Most of the rebel MNLF forces scattered after their headquarters was captured on February 15 and the military has been concentrating its attention on the Abu Sayyaf in other parts of the island. The Abu Sayyaf is a small group of Islamic militants that has been linked by Washington and Manila to the Al-Qaeda terror network. Abu Sayyaf spokesmen said the group staged a February 14 series of bombings in Manila and two southern cities that left eight dead and more than 100 wounded in retaliation for the fighting on Jolo island. With a report from AFP [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Take a look at donorschoose.org, an excellent charitable web site for anyone who cares about public education! http://us.click.yahoo.com/_OLuKD/8WnJAA/cUmLAA/TySplB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> -------------------------- Want to discuss this topic? 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