Cotabato local exec accuses MILF of violating ceasefire pact with govt

From GMA News (May 30): Cotabato local exec accuses MILF of violating ceasefire pact with govt

The mayor Tulunan town in north Cotabato has alleged members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front were behind the harassment of a local community there, in violation of the ceasefire agreement with the government.

Tulunan mayor Lani Candolada told reporters on Thursday she personally experienced the harassment against civilians, police, and military forces while on their way to Sitio Malipayon, Barangay Maybula, around 9 a.m. on May 25.

Candolada said she was with the military, police, and Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team (BPAT) members to assess the situation in the community receiving reports a group of armed men have been harassing the villagers, mostly B’laan natives and Christian settlers.

“During the multi-lateral dialogue held on May 28 at Datu Paglas, Maguindanao, members of the International Monitoring Team (IMT) admitted to us that the area where the mortar fires and sporadic firing originated was an MILF camp,” said Candolada.

“At that time of the attack...,  I was negotiating with the IMT, with MILF vice-chair for political affairs Ghazali Jaafar, and with the LGU mayors of Columbio, Sultan Kudarat and Datu Paglas, Maguindanao to stop the firing… to end the hostilities. After an hour, it stopped,” she added.

But 10 minutes after they (members of the negotiating teams) left the place, the MILF rebels positioned in Sitio Barko-Barko pounded the community with at least five mortars.

The Sitio Barko-Barko, according to the mayor, is considered a "high ground" and a "very strategic position" in military terms.

It is the subject of the boundary conflict between the LGUs of Tulunan, North Cotabato; Datu Paglas, Maguindanao; and Columbio, Sultan Kudarat.

The harassment in Sitio Malipayon started on the night of May 24 when BPAT members monitored a group of armed men massing in Sitio Barko-Barko.
    
MILF denies attack

MILF commander Abner Maniba of the 109th base command of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces said they just defended their perimeter camp when armed men had entered.

“When these armed men arrived at our perimeter on May 24, we did not reply with gunfire.    We waited for one day.  But they started shooting one of our farmers identified as Tatang Manding,” said Maniba.

A report said armed BPAT members were chasing a group of cattle rustlers when they saw the armed robbers exited towards Sitio Barko-Barko, which is a Moro-dominated place.

Maniba, in an interview over Catholic-ran DXND, clarified it was not their men that started the armed fighting.

“When the BPATs shot... Tatang Manding on May 24, his relatives fought back, using their own firearms.   But when the BPATs continued to enter our perimeter, that was the time that we decided that we defend our camp,” said Maniba.
    
The tension has resulted in the evacuation of nearly 600 people, a report from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said.

As of Thursday, the NDRRMC said a total of 168 families or 587 people had been evacuated from their homes. No on one was initially reported killed or hurt in the incidents, it added.

Multi-lateral dialogue    

On May 28, Candolada led the multi-lateral dialogue attended by LGU executives from Datu Paglas and Columbio towns, top military and police officials, and representatives from the governments of Malaysia and Brunei in the IMT.

Brig. Gen. Cesar Sidello of the government’s coordinating committee on the cessation of hostilities was also present during the meeting that lasted for about four hours.

During the meeting, they drafted a resolution where the three LGU executives agreed to put up a composite team, which is PNP-led and supported by the military, along the tri-boundary.

This, Candolada said, is to ensure the safe return of civilians who used to enjoy the ‘pleasure’ of tilling their lands in the area.

Also she said she had instructed the government forces deployed in Sitio Malipayon stay.

“Once the police and the military abandon the place, the thickly-populated area would become vulnerable to the attacks...,” she said.

“I am confident that all forces involved in the peace process will abide by the ceasefire agreement,” she added.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/310680/news/regions/cotabato-local-exec-accuses-milf-of-violating-ceasefire-pact-with-govt