MANILA, Philippines — A "Peaceful Solution" to the Mindanao problem remains the dominant call of various sectors.

Let peace reign. And let men live!

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Government troops shell and overrun enemy camp in Zamboanga Sibugay and pursue outlaws in other parts of Mindnao.

Show of reasonable force and military capability may prove good for national stability.

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Malacañang maintains its “no all-out war”policy but asks the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to account for a R5 million fund released earlier for the MILF Leadership Institute.

It should not go to guns, as feared by others, the Palace asserts.

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MILF leader Ghadzali Jaafar also calls for the continuance of the ceasefire and the peace talks and appeal against innuendoes from some groups.

No to “spoilers of peace,” he says.

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As this develop, the government says it will pursue plans to spend R10 billion to buy more weapons, vehicles, and other equipment to strengthen the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

But “waging war will be the last resort,” it clarifies.

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President S. Aquino III authorizes fund release by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for the AFP modernization program approved much earlier, says Palace deputy spokeswoman Abigail Valte.

Patriotism is not enough.Arm our soldiers well.

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The AFP will release shortly an official report on the the clash with Moro rebels or rouge element s that led to the death of 19 troopers in Basilan last week, assures new AFP Spokesman Maj. Harold Cabunoc.

Let doubts be cleared as to both violations and preparations.

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Meanwhile, various sectors also express support to the AFP for their “display of professionalism upholding the peace process even with such painful loss.”

To duty, God and country…

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Sens. Franklin Drilon and Gregorio Honasan also reject calls for an all-out war against the MILF as they maintained that a peaceful solution to the armed conflict is the proper approach to the problem.

Peace be with us!

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Meanwhile, the AFP says there is no basis to speculations about a coup plot due to alleged demoralization in the military.

The coup talk is baseless. Let’s not talk about it for now. He-he!