Commander says army ready for rebel attack

MANILA, Philippines, Sept. 23 (UPI) -- A Philippine army commander says his troops are ready to counter any threat posed by the rebel Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

Philippine Army Maj. Gen. Nehemias Pajarito, commander of the First Infantry Division, says if the MILF rebel separatist group wages fresh attacks in the south, the Philippine army is in place to squelch any potential violence, the Philippine government reported.

Pajarito's announcement comes as peace negotiations appear to have stalled, threatening more violence in the southern Mindanao region. Officials have been working to counter the likelihood that MILF is planning to escalate a violent campaign when Ramadan ends on Sept. 30.

"There is no need for additional precautions, because our forces are ready to respond," Pajarito said in a statement.

"We expect them to hit us at our weak points, and try to overrun our small deployed forces. But we are ready for them, even before the end of Ramadan."