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September 27, 2000, BusinessWorld, Gov’t to refine approach in addressing rebellion,

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September 27, 2000, BusinessWorld, Gov’t to refine approach in addressing rebellion,

The government will "refine" its approach in addressing the security threats posed by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the communist movement and the Abu Sayyaf. This was agreed during the third National Security Council (NSC)-executive committee meeting held in Malacañang late yesterday afternoon, which focused on the Mindanao security problem.

National Security Adviser Alexander P. Aguirre, however, refused to give details, saying President Joseph E. Estrada will issue a statement on the policy changes today.

"I would say refinements of the approaches that we are undertaking were agreed upon there (NSC meeting), as in improvements," Mr. Aguirre said in an interview after the two-and-a-half hour meeting there was a series of policy decisions taken up." Press Secretary Ricardo V. Puno, Jr. said the President was scheduled to study the recommendations reached during the meeting, and possibly make the announcement today. "We are treading on some sensitive ground here. He (Mr. Estrada) has to evaluate the whole thing before he comes out with his decision."

Mr. Puno, however, reiterated there was no talk of a ceasefire with the Abu Sayyaf, adding the government remains firm to crush the extremist group which is still holding 17 hostages. "There's an ongoing operation so the objective is to simply get the thing terminated as quickly as possible. Get the hostages out and neutralize the Abu Sayyaf completely," Mr. Puno said. He added no deadlines were given to the military to finish its "rescue and offensive" operation in Sulu.

Present during the meeting were Vice-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Senate President Franklin Drilon, Speaker Manuel Villar, Jr., Defense Secretary Orlando Mercado, Armed Forces chief Gen. Angelo Reyes, police chief Director-General Panfilo Lacson and other concerned Cabinet officials.

Emerging from the meeting, all officials refused to answer questions from the media, deferring instead to the President's announcement.

ABU SAYYAF DEATH TOLL

Meanwhile, death tolls continue to increase in Sulu as military operations to try to rescue the 17 remaining hostages being held by extremist Abu Sayyaf rebels drag on, the military yesterday said. A military tally indicated that as
of yesterday morning, 106 Abu Sayyaf rebels have been killed by government troops in encounters in Indanan, Talipao, Patikul, Parang and Maimbung towns.

Also, 50 extremist rebels were wounded in the hostilities, while 35 have been captured. The tally also indicated that government soldiers have so far recovered 210 mostly high-powered firearms, as well as vehicles including
three Humvee-type jeeps, six motorized bancas and a speed boat. Also recovered were hand-held radio units, a solar panel and materials used to assemble bombs and other explosives.

On the other hand, two government troopers were killed while seven others were wounded. Also, civilian casualties remain pegged at two dead and four wounded. In a press conference, spokesman Brig. Gen. Generoso Senga told
reporters at his office in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City (central Metro Manila), that military has committed reserve forces, who are on standby to replenish government troops fighting the Abu Sayyaf.

Mr. Senga said the reserve forces deployed upon orders of Brig. Gen. Narciso Abaya, who is orchestrating the military operations. He, however, declined to say how large is the reserve force.

NO US INTERVENTION

In a related development, the United States will not intervene in government efforts to rescue American Jeffrey Craig Schilling from the Abu Sayyaf, Interior and Local Government Secretary Alfredo S. Lim said. In a forum at
the Westin Philippine Plaza in Pasay City (southern Metro Manila), he said the US Embassy is "satisfied" with the way the government is handling the hostage situation in Jolo.

"The US embassy is giving the government a free hand on how to rescue Mr. Schilling. Even if he asks for intervention, the US knows we are doing our best. They are satisfied with the operations," he said. Mr. Lim, a member of Cabinet Cluster E (political and security), which earlier agreed to a military attack of the Muslim terrorist group, also belied charges that the government has sacrificed civilian lives. "We never sacrifice civilians," he said, and noted that casualties are justified as long as the government proves it will not condone terrorism.
-- Leotes Marie T. Lugo, Ruffy L. Villanueva and Norman P. Aquino

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