MILF fighters retreat from North Cotabato

From the Manila Standard Today (Jun 10): MILF fighters retreat from North Cotabato

Some 300 fighters of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front who had occupied three remote villages in Matalam town, North Cotabato, and instilled fear there have finally left the area, allowing the students in those villages to attend their classes today.

Cotabato Police chief Danny Peralta said the MILF fighters moved out of Ilian, Kilada and Marbel villages Thursday afternoon.

“They left on board the trucks provided by Matalam Mayor Oscar Valdeviesco and were taken back to the Kabacan and Pikit Municipalities,” Peralta said in a text message.

The fighters withdrew after local government units and the Coordinating Council on the Cessation of Hostilities interceded in behalf of the villages’ residents.

The 300 arrived in Ilian, Kilada and Marbel to reinforce their fellow fighters who had figured in a skirmish with MNLF forces in Marbel. They swooped down and began harassing the residents sympathetic to the Moro National Liberation Front.

But Peralta said the situation had gone back to normal.

“Yes, it’s normal. The Army and police will secure the schools,” he said.

The MILF fighters’ retreat has allowed the farmers in Matalam town to till their land and harvest crops including rice and corn, coconuts and sugar cane.

Fighting erupted in Marbel village two weeks ago after some 100 armed MILF fighters surrounded the village in an attempt to expand their territory.

North Cotabato is not included in the proposed autonomous region in the recently signed framework agreement between the government and the MILF.

MNLF Peace panel member Absalom Cerveza said the MILF wanted also to control a stalled Korean gas firm in the Liguasan Marsh. The Korean company left the gas site after one of its officials was killed by MILF fighters 10 years ago.

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2013/06/10/milf-fighters-retreat-from-north-cotabato-2/