PNoy: Gov't has more accountability than those who want war vs MILF

In reiterating his stance against all-out war in dealing with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, President Benigno Aquino III on Wednesday said the government has deeper accountability in saving lives than those who insist on going to war. Aquino stressed this point in his speech at the change of command of the Philippine Army, 19 of whose elite forces were killed in the deadly clash with suspected MILF forces in Al Barka town in Basilan on October 18. "Masakit po para sa atin ang nangyari at inuudyukan tayo ng poot na gumanti subalit naninindigan po ako na isantabi ang pagdidikta ng digmaan... Naniniwala ako sa mas malalim na pananagutan [ng pamahalaan]... ang pinakabuod ng ating tungkulin ay hindi ang pakikipagsagupaan kundi ang kaligtasan ng taumbayan," Aquino said at 54th turnover ceremonies at the Philippine Army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. He added that the victory of government troops is not measured by the number of war they have won but in their ability to maintain peace. "...Hindi ang dami ng kalabang kanilang napatumba sa panahon ng kaguluhan kundi ang dami ng buhay na kanilang naisasalba sa mga tunggalian ang higit na dapat hangaan," he said. According to him, his decision for peace was not based on emotions. "Hindi pupuwede sa atin ang bara barang pagpapasya. Hindi uubra ang itinuturong solusyon ng mga utak pulbura lalo pa't mulat tayo na maraming ihahatid na pasakit ang pagpasok sa sitwasyong magpatuloy lang sa dekada ng kaliwat kanang putukan at alitan," he said. Also in his speech, the President said he expects the new Army chief Maj Gen Emmanuel Bautista to continue the legacy of his predecessor as he assured the support of the government to the military. "Inaasahan ko mula sayo ang matinding dedikasyon, sipag at katapatan. Huwag mong bibiguin ang iyong mga boss. Makakaasa kayong narito ang gobyerno para umalalay sa inyong hanay sa anumang oras," he said. On the other hand, the President joked that outgoing Army chief Lt Gen Arturo Ortiz and his wife Cynthia will continue "responsible parenthood" with the latter's retirement from service. — LBG, GMA News