Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. said Friday there will be no troops pullout in Mindanao, as he emphasized that the suspension of military operations (SOMO) will not stop government forces from pursuing the Abu Sayyaf (ASG) and the lawless MILF group (LMG).

Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) welcomed President Arroyo’s directive to suspend offensive operations in conflict-affected areas in Mindanao, saying it is the government’s way of showing sincerity on the resumption of peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

In an interview following his oath-taking as member of the Lakas-Kampi-CMD, Teodoro said the rationale behind the SOMO is primarily to let the internally displaced persons (IPDs) in the conflict affected areas in the region to go back to their barangays (villages) and get their lives together again.

“It’s good to let the IDPs go back, and with the IDPs going back, we have less problem right now when formal peace negotiations resume,” Teodoro said, adding the IDPs will be assisted by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the AFP. The estimated number of IDPs in Mindanao is placed at 125,000 to 200,000.

With the implementation of the SOMO, Teodoro said the military will now be on active defense posture, where they will protect the areas they are holding at this time. He also said the military shall continue to support police-led operations against rogue elements of the MILF, particularly its three wanted commanders- Umbra Kato, Bravo, and Pangalian, as well as the Abu Sayyaf bandits.

“No SOMO sa ASG areas. . .maliwanag yun, Lalo na sa mga ASG na nagpapanggap na MILF,” Teodoro said, adding with the military on active defense, the troops will now also be used for national development and hardening of urban centers.