Malacanang says President Aquino still has full confidence in AFP Chief of Staff

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 23): Malacanang says President Aquino still has full confidence in AFP Chief of Staff

Malacanang said on Monday that Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff General Emmanuel Bautista still retains the full confidence of President Benigno S. Aquino III.

In a press briefing in Malacanang, Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the President “saw no problem” with the leadership of the AFP and cited the response of security forces to dangerous situations, particularly the ongoing Zamboanga City standoff where government troops are engaging members of the Moro National Liberation Front-Misuari faction.

Lacierda also said the AFP was responsible for the immediate cessation of new hostilities in Midsayap, North Cotabato after a platoon from Alpha Company encountered an undetermined number of Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) this morning.

“Nakita po natin ang tugon ng Armed Forces of the Philippines. Handa po sila tumugon sa Zamboanga City at ngayon handa po sila tumugon, at in fact tumigil na ang fire fight sa Cotabato laban sa BIFF,” he said.

“There is no problem in so far as the leadership of AFP Chief of Staff General Emmanuel Bautista. The President has full confidence in him,” he added.

According to Lacierda, troops conducting combat clearing operations in Sitio Mirasol, Barangay Prolomugen, Midsayap, North Cotabato at around 8:35 this morning, encountered an undetermined number of BIFFs under an unknown leader.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=568648