Gonzalez Jr. favors military offensives vs MILF rogues
Iloilo City Representative Raul Gonzalez Jr. is in favor of an all out military offensive against the fighters of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Mindanao. The solon said MILF commanders Ameril Umbra Kato and Abdullah Macapaar alias Commander Bravo acted in bad faith when they hurt civilians.
Two Ilonggos, Lt. Col. Angel Benitez and Cpl. Angelo Abeto were among the casualties in the conflict in Mindanao. Thousands were left homeless and thousands seek shelter in different evacuation centers to evade the MILF attack.
Gonzalez said he joins the sentiments of other leaders in effecting military operations and arrest those responsible in all the atrocities. The military should run after the MILF rogues who occupied several villages in North Cotabato and attacked five Lanao del Norte towns and left 40 people dead including military.
Gonzalez said it is unlikely that the MILF fighters will act on their own without the approval of their top officials. He believes that the two commanders have the initial support of their leaders although MILF top leaders denied they authorized the series of attacks.
He hinted that the MILF should not return to negotiate with the government peace panel and same time conduct offensives. The end result of the series of attacks launched by MILF fighters backfired on them specially in the impending signing of the memorandum of agreement between the government and the MILF on the expanded Bangsamoro homeland.
The court had issued a temporary restraining order on the signing of the MOA in Malaysia on Aug. 5 over protests by local officials in Mindanao. The government leaders especially North Cotabato Vice Gov. Manny Piñol said they were not consulted and that its provisions were unconstitutional.
Gonzalez said it is also uncertain on whether the MILF will follow the result of the plebiscite if the signing of the MOA pushed through. A plebiscite will take place after the signing of the agreement to check whether residents in the supposed expanded Bangsamoro area wanted to be under the MILF's authority.