There are 7,000 armed Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Armed Forces is ready – Military chief

From Ang Malaya (Feb 15): There are 7,000 armed Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Armed Forces is ready – Military chief

Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief-of-staff General Gregorio Catapang said the military is ready for any possibility. “As of now, the MILF forces are about more than 7,000. We assure you the Armed Forces is ready for any eventuality. But we hope this will not happen,” the General said during the Senate probe on Mamasapano incident.

General Catapang noted this after Senator JV Ejercito said that even the government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front are in peace talks the revolutionary group may have continued to strengthen its armed wing.

Senator Ejercito pointed out that the standing truce may have softened the military and it seems that the focus shifted to external threats.

However, General Catapang added that AFP modernization is also aimed to address internal threats. He said that fighter planes and attack helicopters being acquired can also be used “if need be, and hopefully not, if the situation warrants.”

http://www.angmalaya.net/nation/2015/02/15/8511-there-are-7000-armed-moro-islamic-liberation-front-and-the-armed-forces-is-ready-military-chief