MANILA-The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) has called for unity and respect on election day. NTF-ELCAC acting spokesperson, Prosecutor Flosemer Chris Gonzales, hopes the Filipino people will respect whatever result comes out after the May 9 polls. "The future of our country is at stake. Filipinos from all walks of life will exercise their right to suffrage. After all, has been said and done. After all the hype, the drama, the adrenalin rush, the tampuhan, asaran, bardagulan, the iyakan, the sigawan (the grouch, crying, shouting), courtesy of the election campaign period. Life goes on for the Filipino people," Gonzales said in a statement on Saturday. Gonzales urged the Filipinos not to allow politics to divide a united Philippines. "Family will still be family. People will be people. But for some, if not many, some bridges are reduced to ashes, this is the tragedy that we have to live with after these elections. But this is a tragedy
ZAMBOANGA CITY - Military forces have been ordered to strengthen their monitoring against the remaining members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in the province of Sulu. Maj. Gen. William Gonzales, Joint Task Force (JTF)-Sulu commander, issued the order Tuesday after the movement of ASG members has been monitored in the hinterlands of Patikul, Sulu recently. Troops of the 6th Special Forces Battalion have recovered two high-powered firearms and other war materiel as well as personnel belongings while checking the reported presence of the ASG bandits on Sunday in Barangay Tanum, Patikul town. The ASG bandits hurriedly fled upon sensing the arrival of the government troops. "I directed all military units in the area to intensify further their monitoring in the direction of the fleeing enemies (ASG bandits) and establish blockade on their possible withdrawal routes," Gonzales said. Gonzales, who is also the Army's 11th Infantry Division (ID) commander, said the high-powered fir
ZAMBOANGA CITY - A soldier and an Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandit have been killed in a series of clashes in the province of Sulu, a top military official disclosed Tuesday. Maj. Gen. William Gonzales, the Army's 11th Infantry Division commander, said the first clash, which lasted for about 15 minutes, ensued around 9:20 a.m. Monday in Barangay Bangkal, Patikul, Sulu. Gonzales said the second clash ensued around 9:50 a.m., and the third around 10:40 a.m. as the troops pursued the ASG bandits fleeing from the site of the first clash. Gonzales, who is also the Joint Task Force (JTF)-Sulu commander, identified the slain ASG bandit as Omar Yakan, a follower of ASG sub-leader Ellam Nasirin. The troops recovered Yakan's K3 squad automatic weapon. He said the slain soldier, meanwhile, was identified as Pfc. Jay Clint Pasingan of the 45th Infantry Battalion (45IB). Wounded were Sgt. Michel Bagunu and Pfc. Celestino Tano of the same battalion. Both are in stable condition at the Camp Gene