Moro groups vow to help in campaign vs drugs

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 19): Moro groups vow to help in campaign vs drugs

Two Moro rebel organizations that signed peace deal with the government on Tuesday expressed full support to the police campaign against illegal drugs in North Cotabato.

Mayor Gigi Catamco of Matalam, North Cotabato invited local leaders of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MNLF) in her office for a dialogue regarding the matter.

Present during the dialogue was acting North Cotabato police director Senior Supt. Jonathan Tangonan and representatives from Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Philippine Army.

The Moro rebel leaders signed a covenant with government law enforcers expressing their full support to the campaign aimed at “cleansing” Moro communities of illegal drug personalities.

Reports have it that some Maguindanaons are engaged in illegal drug activities in North Cotabato, including relatives of rebel leaders.

Speaking over DXND Radyo Bida in Kidapawan City, Tangonan said the commanders admitted that involvement of illegal drugs by some of its followers led to family feud or clan wars.

Matalam is in the “radar” of PDEA-12 due to huge volume of prohibited drugs circulating in town and nearby communities.

The MNLF and MILF leadership in North Cotabato will help the police and other law enforcers in intelligence gathering.

The MNLF signed a peace deal with the government in 1996 while the MILF forged a peace agreement with Manila in 2014.

Under the government and MILF ceasefire agreement, the rebel organization will assist government forces in enforcing search warrants against law offenders hiding in their respective communities.

The group is also bound to clear its ranks of terrorists and other lawless elements.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1009963