Construction works for the flood control project in
Maguindanao, stalled by harassment and atrocities from lawless elements, have
resumed over the weekend, the military here said.
According to Lt. Col. Warlito Limet, commander of the 2nd
Mechanized Infantry Battalion, the construction site has been cleared of
improvised bomb left by elements of Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF)
in the villages of Butalo and Tee, Datu Salibo town in Maguindanao.
Limet told reporters clearing of booby traps still continues
in other areas but the dredging site has been completely cleared of bombs so
construction works have resumed.
On Friday, dredging equipment like backhoe and dump trucks
were brought to the village
of Butalo
Limet said the project will benefit the people once it is
completed. “We cannot understand why the BIFF is opposed to it,” he told
reporters.
On February 5, the military launched offensives against the
BIFF, with the support of two MG-520 attack helicopters, to drive away about
100 heavily armed BIFF armed men.
The month-long offensives claimed the lives of four soldiers
and wounded about 30 others. Four civilians, including the town treasurer of
Datu Salibo, were killed when the BIFF set off a roadside bomb.
Military officials could not say how many BIFF members were
killed or wounded during the hostilities. Civilians in Datu Salibo claimed
about 40 BIFF fighters were killed and 20 others wounded.
“But we cannot confirm that, we have no body count, but for
sure they have casualties,” Capt. Joann Petinglay, regional Army spokesperson,
said.
On Thursday, a decomposing body of a man was found in the village of Tee
Datu Salibo Mayor Norodin Salasal said the P58-million
dredging project implemented by the national government was to start in
December but was delayed by road right of way (ROW) claims of residents.
“I have talked to all the lot owners where the project was
to be built and the government have paid them,” Salasal told reporters. “All
claims have been settled,” he added.
After the ROW claims issue were settled, the project
commenced on February 5. But the BIFF torched two backhoes, triggering a
firefight between the rebels and government forces.
Members of Philippine Marines and Army Special Forces who
have the expertise in water and land operation were deployed in Maguindanao
marshland as perimeter defense of the dredging project.
Limet said some of the displaced families have returned to
their communities after the Army cleared the area of improvised bombs and
hoisted a Philippine flag there. Others may return later as de-mining operation
was still ongoing, he said.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=864023
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