GMA PUTS MILITARY ON WAR FOOTING OVER FLURRY OF MORO ATTACKS

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has put the military on war footing in the wake of a spate of attacks by Maro rebels in Lanao over the past two days which have left at least 16 dead and scores wounded, most of them civilians.

As this post is being written, Arroyo is convening an emergency meeting of the top level National Security Council.

Minutes ago Mrs. Arroyo went on national radio and TV to report: “Because of these sneaky and treacherous attacks, as your Commander-in-Chief, I have ordered the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police to defend every inch of Philippine territory against MILF forces, and immediately restore peace in the affected areas in Lanao del Norte.”

“We will not tolerate and will crush any attempt to disturb peace and development in Mindanao.”

AFP Chief of Staff General Alexander Yano Yano called the MILF atrocities, which include an ambush on an Army convoy, “a virtual declaration of war.”

“The AFP cannot allow this to go on,” Yano said, adding “We are now taking military action to stop these atrocities.”