Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Toto Mangudadatu has called on all
town mayors in the province to design localized security plan to ensure the
safety of civilians, especially in areas where outlawed Moro armed group
regularly harassed.
"We should have security plan and we should always be
ahead of the lawless groups,” Mangudadatu told a news conference after
presiding over the Maguindanao provincial peace and order council Tuesday.
At least 7,000 individuals have been displaced by atrocities
carried out by outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in the towns
of Ampatuan and Abdullah Sangki in Maguindanao since December 24.
Fighting involving Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in
Sultan sa Barongis also displaced civilians who are now in at least three
evacuation centers.
Mangudadatu said police and military authorities have
designed security measures but it is still best for the local leaders, down to
the barangay, to have its own defense plan.
“We all know that the police and the military could not be
in all places at all times, so the local officials are expected to protect
their own people,” Mangudadatu said.
More police and military checkpoints have been established
in areas considered conflict zone. These are the adjoining towns of Shariff
Aguak, Mamasapano, Datu Piang, Datu Salibo, Shariff Saydona and Sultan sa
Barongis, areas where the BIFF operate.
Mangudadatu also directed the provincial relief response
team to continue with the distribution of food packs and assistance to
displaced families.
He also handed out financial assistance to relatives of
slain farmers in Barangay Kauran, Ampatuan, Maguindanao even as he assured them
that justice will be served.
Mangudadatu said the government is filing charges against
the Barangay Kauran attackers.
The governor also appealed to the MILF leadership to help
protect civilian communities from BIFF and help mediate in the MILF infighting.
Relief workers of the provincial emergency and disaster
response team and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Midnanao - Humanitarian
Emergency Assistance and Response Team (ARMM-HEART) have extended food packs
and other provisions to about 7,000 evacuees on Monday and Tuesday.
ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman, through ARMM-HEART, also extended
financial and medical assistance to two civilians trapped and injured in Sultan
sa Barongis town after MILF clashed on Monday morning due to long standing land
dispute.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=843726
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