Gov’t won't allow formation of armed groups: Palace

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 20): Gov’t won't allow formation of armed groups: Palace

Malacañang on Wednesday said the government will not allow the formation of armed groups seeking to rectify perceived wrongs or issue demands to the government.

“The government does not tolerate the formation of armed groups to seek redress for grievances of citizens. Also, demands from government are better made through dialogues and consultation with various stakeholders,” Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said in a statement.

The statement was made following reports on the emergence of a shadowy group in Mindanao calling itself the Meranaw Victims Movement, whose members are supposedly “sons and brethren” of evacuees from Marawi City.

The group is allegedly demanding the government, the Islamic State-inspired Maute group, and even the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) for the restoration of normalcy in Marawi City and in the province of Lanao del Sur.

The group has threatened to use force if their demands are not met.

However, Malacañang said the government is still verifying if the group really exists.

“The government, through the military, is still verifying the veracity of the video posted online on the existence of a new armed group called Meranaw Victims Movement,” Abella said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1010129