Elders step in to patch up Muslim rebels’ rift

From the Manila Standard Today (May 10): Elders step in to patch up Muslim rebels’ rift

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Moro National Liberation Front have opened communication lines in a bid to prevent the tensions in Bgy. Marbel, Matalam, North Cotabato from degenerating into a rido or clan war.

“There is now discussions on the ground among our elders. There is also high-level talks between the leadership of the MILF and MNLF,” MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal said on Thursday.

“While the situation is now pacified, we have to prevent a rido because an MILF member died in the clash,” Iqbal added.

A dialogue will be held among police and military officials, executives from the Commission on elections, tribal leaders,  elders, representatives from the MILF and MNLF to thresh out the prevailing situation relative to the conduct of Monday’s elections.

North Cotabato Police Senior Supt. Sergio Dimandal, Deputy Regional Director for Operations, confirmed the meeting.

“We will be having an emergency meeting with Comelec officials to thresh out the prevailing problem affecting the holding of elections on Monday,” Dimandal said.

The military said it was also closely monitoring the “precarious” situation in Brgy. Marbel to prevent the MILF from retaliating.

“The situation is now under control and relatively stable, but we want to make sure it does not graduate into a rido,” said Col. Dickson Hermoso, spokesman of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division.

Fighting erupted between the two Muslim rebel groups on Sunday after some MILF commanders pushed through with their peace caravan in the MNLF-dominated area.
But Hermoso said the MILF commanders have already left the area, except for Ali Mashur and his troops who live in Brgy. Marbel.

“There was a directive from the MILF leadership for the other units to pull out and they complied,” he said.

Government chief negotiator Miriam Ferrer confirmed the pullout, adding that the clash will not impact on the ongoing peace talks with the MILF.

“As of Monday afternoon, the hostilities have already been contained.

The peace process will not be derailed because of this,” Ferrer said in a separate phone interview.

Iqbal also denied the claim of the MNLF that MILF forces were extorting from pineapple farmers in Brgy. Marbel.

“Our members only wanted to do a peace caravan. Hindi lang siguro nagkaintindihan,” Iqbal said.

An MILF commander who asked not to be named accused MNLF commander Dima Ambel of being trigger-happy.

“He is the same MNLF commander who was responsible for past clashes in Carmen and in other neighboring towns in North Cotabato,” the source said.

Hermoso admitted that residents of Brgy. Marbel have yet to return to their houses.

“There are no more clashes, but from time to time there are gun shots being fired,” Hermoso said.

Meanwhile, an MNLF commander warned the MILF to desist from taking provocative actions that may complicate the tense situation in the area.

The MNLF leader said they had taken “defensive positions” but vowed to repulse violently any MILF attacks.

“We will defend ourselves in any worst eventuality,” the commander said.

Another MNLF commander, a certain Bensali, said they have strengthened their positions for any MILF attacks.

“We are ready for any MILF incursions.”

Bensali blamed the MILF for attacking the MNLF community “for no apparent reason”  prompting MNLF forces to retaliate that forced residents to evacuate.

“As of now the fighting had subsided but we are monitoring the situation,” Bensali said.

Dumandal, meanwhile, said they were trying their best to secure the civilians trapped in the standoff.

Bgy. Marbel is bounded by different sitios whose residents are either members of the MILF or the MNLF and their supporters.

The residents depend mostly in sugarcane farming.

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2013/05/10/elders-step-in-to-patch-up-muslim-rebels-rift/