AFP panel to decide on MILF's area of temporary stay - Palace

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang said yesterday it would be up to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Joint Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (JCCCH) to decide on the area of temporary stay (ATS) being claimed by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) as the military continues to pursue lawless elements in Mindanao.

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda also welcomed the development in the informal peace talks between the government and the MILF, wherein the rebel group agreed to help eradicate criminal elements in the south.

Government chief negotiator Marvic Leonen said the two sides “cleared the air” about pressing issues regarding the negotiations, including the military’s pursuit of lawless elements.

He said the AFP and the JCCCH would “operationalize” the details as “the important thing” is for the government to have one voice to avoid confusion.

Army chief Lt. Gen. Arturo Ortiz said military troops in Basilan would continue pursuit operations, especially against the lawless elements behind the murder of 19 soldiers in Al-Barka, saying technically the ATS no longer existed.

The ATS was established in 2007 as a result of the encounter in Basilan that resulted in the death of 14 Marines, 10 of whom were beheaded.

Ortiz said the ATS was designated for MILF members to prevent misencounters with government forces then pursuing criminal elements.

He said it is imperative that after the end of the 2007 operations, the ATS should also be terminated.

Lacierda said the matter was being discussed regularly by the Cabinet security cluster and thus there might be no need to convene the National Security Council (NSC) as suggested by Vice President Jejomar Binay.

“In those areas, we’ve made sure that we’re going to pursue them and the military has been very, very emphatic about going after them and making sure that the CCCH is also apprised of the situation,” he said.