United Kingdom alarmed by attacks, supports Noy's no all-out war policy

MANILA, Philippines - The United Kingdom yesterday expressed alarm over the recent spate of ambushes in Mindanao but backed President Aquino’s stand to reject an all-out war policy against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

British Ambassador Stephen Lillie said he is seriously concerned with reports of ambushes by MILF members in different parts of Mindanao over the past week “but meeting violence with violence will not solve the conflict in the southern Philippines.”

“On the contrary, it is only likely to lead to a downward spiral of killing, with untold misery and suffering for innocent civilians. The last time violence broke out on a wide scale, some 600,000 people were forced to flee their homes. The people of southern Philippines deserve better than that,” Lillie said.

He expressed condolences to the families and comrades of the soldiers killed last week, saying their grief is heartfelt and understandable, and so is the anger of many Filipinos. 

“But I firmly believe that the President is right to reject calls for an all-out war. At the end of the day, the way forward must be via the negotiating table and the continuation of peace talks,” he added. 

The ambassador said that the President’s refusal to launch full-scale military action demonstrated his commitment to the road of peace.

However, Lillie said that for the peace talks to continue, violence must stop. 

“I think that the MILF need to reassure public and political opinion that they too remain committed. The current spate of ambushes must stop,” he said.

He stressed it was understandable that some people will now be skeptical about the MILF’s position with the latest developments.

The UK is one of four governments in the International Contact Group (ICG) supporting the government’s peace talks with the MILF.

The ambassador said that as an ICG member, the UK remained ready to assist the peace process in whatever way the two parties thought would be most helpful.

The European Union ambassadors in Manila also commended yesterday Aquino’s commitment to political settlement in Mindanao and urged the MILF to condemn the use of violence.

The EU Heads of Mission in the country likewise expressed sympathy to the families of victims of the recent spate of violence in Basilan and Zamboanga Sibugay.

In a statement, the EU welcomed the calls for the International Monitoring Team to conduct an independent investigation of the incidents, noting that “such an investigation would help the parties to determine whether there have been violations of the ceasefire agreement and violations of the international law and human rights.”

The EU Delegation appealed to the parties to strengthen coordination through the Joint Coordination Committee for the Cessation of Hostilities.

The EU, as a member of the International Monitoring Team and major development partner in poverty alleviation in Mindanao since 1990, also vowed to continue to support peaceful efforts to achieve long-lasting peace in Mindanao.