The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has directed 6th
Infantry Division commander Major Gen. Edmundo Pangilinan to facilitate safe
graduation ceremonies in conflict-affected areas in Maguindanao, AFP
chief-of-staff Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang said on Monday.
The Department of Education (DepEd) earlier proposed 15
areas where 65 schools would be clustered for the joint graduation ceremonies.
Last March 19, Gov. Esmael "Toto" Mangudadatu of
Maguindanao convened the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) meeting in
Awang, Maguindanao to conduct initial coordination regarding the proposed
graduation ceremonies in selected areas.
Catapang said the AFP and the Philippine National Police
(PNP) will help in identifying safe areas where these graduation events would
be held in close coordination with the local government units (LGUs).
On Monday, the Municipal Peace and Order Council of the
different LGUs in the affected areas held consultation meetings to discuss
thoroughly different issues regarding the proposed graduation ceremony.
On March 24, the provincial government of Maguindanao is
planning to convene the PPOC in Buluan town to receive feedbacks from the local
chief executives of the affected municipalities.
Catapang said the law enforcement operations would be
continuously conducted in areas that are believed to be the new hideouts of the
Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).
These areas are in the marshlands and also in the
mountainous terrain away from the proposed sites for the graduation ceremony.
The AFP and the PNP will secure the sites where the
graduation ceremonies will be held.
DepEd-Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao has proposed that
the graduation ceremonies be held from March 25 to 27.
"We will also work closely with the local government
and the PNP in identifying areas where residents can safely return,"
Catapang said.
He added that the AFP will continuously deploy forces in the
former BIFF enclaves to deny the terrorists like Basit Usman and Amin Baco
entry to their former safe havens.
The AFP will also facilitate the implementation of the
PhP67-million worth of different projects which were approved by President
Benigno S. Aquino III.
The inauguration ceremony for the bridge project in
Mamasapano town will be held on March 25.
Catapang said Army engineers will help implement various
infrastructure projects to support the rehabilitation and recovery of the
conflict-affected areas.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=747151
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