Observance of Ramadan enables rogue MILF units to regroup - AFP

MANILA, Philippnies - Due to the “extra care” exercised by the military during the month-long observance of Ramadan, rogue Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) units were able to rebuild their forces. Brigadier General Jorge Segovia, the Armed Forces’ assistant deputy chief of staff for operations, said this was the latest assessment of Joint Task Force Mindanao on the ongoing offensive against wayward MILF rebels in Central Mindanao. In a press briefing in Camp Aguinaldo Monday, Segovia said it was also observed that the so-called MILF units have broken down into smaller groups to avoid detection by the pursuing government troops. “Those are assessments by our most senior commander in Mindanao (Lt. Gen. Cardozo Luna), but that may have something to do also with the extra care that the Armed Forces is observing so as not to affect civilian communities observing the Ramadan,” Segovia said. Segovia admitted that the limited use of artillery and air strikes during Ramadan have somehow affected the operations. From the start of Ramadan on Sept. 1 up to 6 p.m. Sunday, Segovia said the military has recorded 71 incidents and that “a big number of these atrocities” were initiated by the MILF, including attacks on communities and hapless civilians. The official also said that during the Ramadan, three soldiers and a militiaman had been killed while conducting operations while 22 soldiers and four militiamen were wounded. Segovia said they expect an escalation of fighting with the rebels when Ramadan ends Wednesday, October 1. “The Armed Forces of the Philippines has already prepared for that,” he said. - GMANews.TV