LANAO del Norte will hold a sporting event in August in time for the first year anniversary of the August 18, 2008 attack by Moro rebels in the province's two towns that resulted in the death of several civilians.

Lyndon Calica, provincial information officer, said they will hold the "Sports for Peace" on August 18, which will be participated in by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebel returnees and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

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He said the event will show the world that the August 18 attack is a thing of the past and that the government is doing its best to foster unity and peace among all sectors in the province.

Governor Mohamad Khalid Dimaporo said that as a Muslim, he was ashamed of the MILF attack in the towns of Kolambugan and Kauswagan, thus their decision to throw their all-out support to the AFP.

Dimaporo said they want Lanao del Norte to generate news of peace instead of the usual news about armed encounters and rebel attacks.

"Ngayon ang makikita at maririnig from Lanao del Norte ay yung mga rebeldeng nagsusurender. My family is ashamed of what they (rebels) have done, that is why we called on all our mayors to support the military kaya the rebels are transferring to Lanao del Sur," Dimaporo said.

The sportsfest will be held at the world-class Mindanao Civic Center in Tubod. (Ben O. Tesiorna)