Army admits soldiers demoralized after deadly Basilan clash

Even as it admitted being demoralized following the death of 19 soldiers in a clash with members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in Basilan, the Philippine Army is seeking more leeway in observing a ceasefire with the secessionists. Army spokesman Col. Antonio Parlade Jr. said the incident had brought down the Army's morale, although the troops would not talk about it. "Of course our men are demoralized. They won't talk about it so I should speak for them," he said. Also, he said there should be more leeway for soldiers in observing truce. "We should continue with the peace process. But there are options. For instance, we can be selective in observing the ceasefire," he said in an interview on dzBB radio. He suggested that troops be given more flexibility to operate especially in areas where the MILF does not follow the ceasefire rules. In the Basilan clash, the MILF had claimed the military had entered its territory without prior coordination, but the military denied this. President Benigno Aquino III had denounced the attack but has so far refused to scrap ongoing peace efforts with the MILF. Aquino met personally with high officials of the MILF in Tokyo last August to boost the peace process. An Air Force plane took off early Friday for Zamboanga to pick up the remains of the slain soldiers. He said the remains of 11 of the 19 were to be brought to Manila. Parlade said they expect the plane to arrive Friday afternoon in Manila. "According to the Air Force, baka mga hapon na dumating (The Air Force said the plane may arrive in Manila Friday afternoon)," he said. — LBG, GMA News