Kidapawan mayor to MNLF: Stop recruiting in IP villages

From GMA News (Sep 26): Kidapawan mayor to MNLF: Stop recruiting in IP villages

Kidapawan City Mayor Joseph Evangelista urged leaders of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) to stop recruiting indigenous peoples in remote villages to join their group.

MNLF members found recruiting and conducting training among the tribes in Junction and Sumbac villages will be arrested.

Evangelista signed a cease and desist order to implement the directive. In his letter, the mayor called on Monreal and MNLF members to cease and desist from performing the activity.

He also said there was no formal coordination with the city government, the Department of Interior and Local Government, and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process.

The mayor said barangay officials told him that Datu Lito Monreal, said to be an MNLF leader maintaining a camp in Brgy. Guangan in Makilala, is allegedly spearheading the recruitment and training.

The group members, armed with high-powered firearms, supposedly enter the villages at night.

"It caused panic among constituents especially that they are bringing firearms when they enter the village at night," Evangelista said.

A validating team he sent to the barangays confirmed that the MNLF is conducting recruitment in the area.

Evangelista directed Lt. Col. Harold Argamosa of the Philippine Army's 39th Infantry Battalion and Supt. Leo Ajero, city police director, to ensure that the recruitment be stopped peacefully and in an orderly manner.

"We would like to make sure that the rights of our tribal constituents in these villages would not be exploited," Evangelista said.

MNLF: Activity is legal

Monreal however said that the recruitment activity is legal and has the permission of MNLF founding chairman Nur Misuari.

He said in a radio interview that he has all the documents to prove that the activity is sanctioned by the MNLF National Command.

Monreal also said he plans to talk to Evangelista about the matter. However, Monreal did not say whether the recruitment activity will be stopped. .

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/582717/news/regions/kidapawan-mayor-to-mnlf-stop-recruiting-in-ip-villages