Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Army extends assistance to civilian victims of BIFF atrocities in Maguidnanao

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 17): Army extends assistance to civilian victims of BIFF atrocities in Maguidnanao

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao –- The Army’s 6th Infantry Division, as promised by 6th ID chief Maj. General Romeo Gapuz, has extended moral and financial assistance to civilians wounded by atrocities committed by a renegade Moro rebel group in Maguindanao last week.

Colonel Dickson Hermoso, speaking for the 6th Infantry “Kampilan” Division, said at least seven civilians were wounded when renegade Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) launched simultaneous atrocities against government forces and civilian communities in Barangay Ganta, Shariff Saydona Mustapha and Datu Piang municipalities in Maguindanao.

About 60 BIFF forces attacked soldiers of the 68th Infantry Battalion in Barangay Ganta on July 6 triggering sporadic firefight between them and government forces.

Hermoso said three of the victims confined at the Cotabato Regional and Medical Center were given assistance. They are Omar Dalimbang, 33, and a village councilman, Alimundo Alon, 34, and Dunna Alon, 30, all residents of Barangay Ganta.

Lieutenant Colonel Nilo Vinluan, chief of the 5th ID Civil Military Operations (CMO) went to the CRMC on July 8 to check on the victim’s health conditions and to boost their morale.

Aside from lending aid, comfort and moral support, Vinluan promised financial support from 6th Infantry Division.

On Saturday, July 13, Vinluan sent Major Jimmy Matalam to CRMC purposely to check on the condition of the victims and to address their needs.

Before leaving, Major Matalam gave them fruits and other food items to the civilian victims’ delight.

Each of the three victims also received P10,000 each as financial assistance.

Alimudin Alon, an ethnic Maguindanaon, said he never expected the Army would provide assistance to them.

“I am just an ordinary person, this assistance will show government’s sincerity in helping the needy,” he told Maj. Matalam, also an ethnic Maguindanao,

He said once fully recovered, he will use the money to start a living in his home barangay even as he prayed peace will reign in his community.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=544996

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