North Cotabato Army, PNP told to secure highway from warring MILF, MNLF forces

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 31): North Cotabato Army, PNP told to secure highway from warring MILF, MNLF forces
 
Convinced the safety of civilians and vital government installations is paramount, North Cotabato Gov. Emmylou Talinio Mendoza on Wednesday directed the Army and the police to secure vital facilities and roads in the province.

Specifically, Mendoza directed Brig. General Ademar Tomaro, 602nd Army brigade chief and PNP police provincial director for North Cotabato Senior Superintendent Danny Peralta, to ensure the safety of commuters passing through North Cotabato's major highway and facilities of the Cotabato Sugar Central Company Incorporated (SOCUCECO) in Barangay Kilada, Matalam, North Cotabato.

Mendoza's directive came as rival Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) continued its clashes over land dispute in the borders of Kidapawan City and Matalam, North Cotabato.

The firefight started last Sunday in Barangay Patadon, Kidapwan City and Barangay Manubuan, North Cotabato when MILF allegedly attacked MNLF positions in Barangay Manubuan, triggering mass evacuation of about 60 families.

Efforts by Moro leaders and local officials have remained ineffective as both the warring MILF and MNLF forces would trade bullets every now and then.

Mendoza ordered Tomaro and Peralta to deploy peacekeeping forces along the Kidapawan City-Matalam highway.

”I want the commitment of both the MNLF and MILF in ending the hostilities because it is detrimental to civilians and students,” Mendoza told members of the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) meeting.

She said the conflict which could have been prevented had domino effects in the communities.

”The conflict had caused domino effect to the communities because the residents flee and become internally displaced persons who occupy public schools and classes are suspended,” she said.

Mendoza also directed Muslim Provincial Board members Dulia Sultan and Mohammad Kelie Antao to make use of their influence and convince the warring groups to keep their guns shut.

She said she was saddened with the event since most of the displaced families are observing the fasting month of Ramadhan.

Meanwhile, the MILF leadership accused the military of violating the ceasefire agreement when it fired mortars toward MILF positions in Barangay Manubuan.

But Capt. Antonio Bulao, 602nd Infantry Brigade spokesperson, said the mortars were intended not specifically to the MILF but to armed groups, regardless of their affiliations, who have planned to occupy the national highway.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=549897