Military allays fear of MILF attack in Northern Mindanao

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 20): Military allays fear of MILF attack in Northern Mindanao

The military on Friday has allayed fears of an impending attack by elements of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Lanao Del Norte.

Army Captain Frank Suelto, spokesperson of the army’s 1st Infantry Division in Western Mindanao, has denied the report of an impending attack although the military is on standby alert.

He said that the military and the MILF are communicating directly and are closely coordinating with each other as part of the protocol under the Framework Agreement.

Suelto said that everything is normal in the provinces of Lanao Del Norte, home to the second largest MILF command based in Mindanao, next to the MILF camp in Nort Cotabato.

For the past days, there have been persistent reports about an impending MILF attack in Iligan City and the neighboring province and city of Misamis Oriental sending apprehensions among residents in the area.

Suelto said that transportation has remained normal in the area and there is “nothing to worry about.”

However, he said, it is a standard operating procedure for the military to be on standby alert, particularly the army’s 2nd mechanized battalion in Iligan City. The army air support units are also on high alert.

Maj. Christian Uy, of the army’s 4th Infantry Division in Cagayan De Oro City, said that the military is always on standby alert.

“We have deployed our forces in coordination with the local law enforcement group in the four corners of Northern Mindanao in anticipation of any terror attacks,” Uy said.

He said that the army is always prepared to ensure the safety and security of the civilian populace.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=737557