AFP official orders military commanders to talk to MNLF in their respective areas

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 12): AFP official orders military commanders to talk to MNLF in their respective areas

The military commanders in Davao Region have been ordered to talk to the local groups of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in their respective areas to ensure peace and avoid actions sympathetic to the conflict in Zamboanga City.

Major General Ariel Bernardo, commander of the 10th Infantry Division ordered all brigade and battalion commander to establish an open communication between them and the leaders of the MNLF given the ongoing siege in Zamboanga City involving the MNLF-Misuari faction.

He met with Rolando Ulamit, head of the Ottara-Davao Revolutionary Committee and other leaders of the MNLF in the city.

“It is good that we are able to engage with them early. I also instructed my brigade and battalion commanders to establish an open line of communication and talk to them,” Bernardo said.

He said the local MNLF leaders assured that they will not support the armed action of their comrades in Zamboanga City.

Bernardo said that the military continues to monitor the overall situation in the region.

Ulamit declared the local MNLF will not create trouble just to show sympathy to their counterparts in Zamboanga City.

He reiterated his appreciation to Mayor Rodrigo Duterte for allowing them to express their sentiments in the city through a peace rally in September 1.

A top military commander in Compostela Valley sees no immediate threat from the members of the MNLF despite the involvement of the MNLF-Misuari faction in the Zamboanga City conflict.

Colonel Angelito de Leon, commander of the 101st Infantry Brigade based in Maco, Compostela Valley said many of the MNLF members in the communities in the area are focused more on their livelihood activities.

He said several members of the MNLF are already regular members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines under the 25th Infantry Battalion with ranks ranging from sergeants to Major, as the highest position.

“Based on our latest monitoring, we see no immediate threat from the MNLF based in Compostela Valley,” De Leon said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=565122