Philippine army, rebels back Aquino's peace initiative for south

Manila: The Philippine Army and rebels vowed to support the peace initiative of President Benigno Aquino and said it would help achieve a comprehensive solution in restive southern Philippines, sources said.

"The Philippine Army remains fully supportive of the [Philippine government's] peace process [with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front]," said Major General Emmanuel Bautista, 52, newly appointed commander of the 80,000 strong Philippine Army.

"We will seek justice against those who have committed atrocities… We will apply legitimate force without sacrificing the peace process," Bautista said.

President Aquino said: "Success is measured… in maintaining the peace [between Muslims and Christians in the south]."

The strongest statement of support for Bautista came from MILF Secretariat chair Mohammad Ameen, who told Luwaran, the MILF website, it was surprising for Bautista to support the peace talks between the government and the MILF because his father, Brigadier General Teodulfo Bautista, was killed by Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) rebels in 1977.

Bautista was a student at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) when his father and 33 officers were killed in Patikul.