This was stressed Friday by Army chief Lt. Gen. Arturo B. Ortiz, one week before his retirement.
Ortiz instructed troops in Basilan to continue pursuit operations, especially against the lawless elements behind the murder of 19 soldiers in Al-Barka, saying that technically the ATS no longer exists.
Interviewed at the Army General Hospital (AGH) in Fort Bonifacio, Ortiz told reporters that consistent with the pronouncement of President Benigno S. Aquino III, “We will continue seeking justice for our fallen comrades.”
Ortiz explained that 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.
“So, with the pursuit operations that followed (in 2007) the ATS was designated for members of the MILF to prevent misencounters with government forces pursuing criminal elements during that time,” the Army chief stated.
“So, after termination of the (2007) operations, dapat na-terminate na din ang ATS. So technically wala nang ATS,” he added.
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