MNLF attack on ASG not sanctioned by gov't -- Aquino

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 5): MNLF attack on ASG not sanctioned by gov't -- Aquino

President Benigno Aquino III Tuesday said the reported attack by Moro National Liberation Front forces against the Abu Sayyaf Group in Patikul, Sulu was not sanctioned by the government. "Walang sanction, walang clearance. They (MNLF) didn’t tell us that they’re gonna attack the Abu Sayyaf," the President said in an interview at the sidelines of the Philippine Development Forum in Davao City.

President Aquino said that when he heard about the incident last Sunday, "unang priority natin syempre ‘yung mga citizens or our civilians who might be caught up in the conflict areas." "We directed both the security services -- meaning, the AFP and the PNP -- and also Secretary (Corazon) Soliman of the DSWD, to ensure that the civilians who might be caught up in the areas are evacuated to safe areas and are taken cared of," he stressed.

Reports said over 300 families have been affected by the fighting between the MNLF and the ASG in Sulu. Local officials said the affected residents are from Barangays Tarayat, Buhanginan and Talom in Patikul. They have sought refuge in the Danag Elementary School.

The clashes broke out Sunday with the MNLF forces reportedly were trying to free kidnapped Jordanian journalist, Baker Atyani. Atyani's Filipino crew, Ramelito Vela and Rolando Letrero, were released by the bandit group last Saturday. President Aquino said he ordered government forces to contain the area so that violence won't spread to other villages in Patikul.

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