Instead of holding the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) accountable for the deaths of 19 soldiers, it seems the commander-in-chief even blamed the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for the violence.
"I was dissatisfied with the performance of the Armed Forces," said Brigadier General Jose Mabanta, deputy chief of staff for operations of the AFP.
They also disagreed with the President's decision to stop pursuit operations against several members of the rebel group.
As a result, some officials are thinking about resigning, adding that it seems their hands are tied while fighting rebel groups like the MILF and the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).
The same officials were the ones who were dismayed after the government released members of the so-called Morong 43, who were said to be communist rebel leaders.
Colonel Alexander Macario, chief of special operations for Task Force Basilan, and Philippine Army spokesman Colonel Antonio Parlade have already been removed from their posts, according to the orders of the President.
Parlade had said there should be a selective ceasefire with the MILF to bring to justice the killers of his comrades.
COntinue reading at abs-cbn news
