Former President Fidel V. Ramos hits the current administration of Pres. Benigno Aquino III for “poor direction” in the Maguindanao clash. The former military officer says that complacency and a “laid-back attitude” on part of the government officials, peace negotiators, and field commanders led to the massacre of at least 44 elite members of PNP-SAF in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last Sunday.
The former President is best known as one of the few graduates in the United States Military Academy or the West Point to become a President of a certain country is also considered as one of the elite soldier who fought against the Moro rebels during the early 70’s & 80’s.
In an official statement released by Fidel Ramos, he said that the “two leading ladies” in the government peace panel should have “availed of the advice” from retired AFP and PNP officers who have experience and knowledge about the conflict in Mindanao.
The government peace panel is headed by Prof. Miriam Coronel Ferrer, and the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process is Secretary Teresita ‘Ging’ Deles.
According to the former President, the tragedy was not just a result of lack of coordination between the government forces and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) but also from “poor strategic direction from the commander-in-chief.”
Fidel Ramos also scored the MILF for their alleged lack of sincerity in pursuing peace in Mindanao with the Moro rebels staging a decade-old struggle for independence and self-rule in Mindanao.