Tuesday, August 19, 2008 Sarangani won't cower in fear: guv
SARANGANI Governor Miguel Rene A. Dominguez has vowed to pursue the attackers to bring justice to the two innocent men slain in a dawn attack in Maasim town Monday.
In a press statement, Dominguez said he was appalled at the "brazenness" and "treachery" of the armed attack at the Maasim town.
Two civilians were killed while another was wounded when Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels raided the town of Maasim in Sarangani province early morning of August 18.
The rebels also ransacked several establishments in the town's public market.
"No amount of justification could placate the families of our dead men and soothe the anxiety and fear of residents who have lived in peace and harmony throughout the years," he said.
Dominguez stressed that while the Provincial Government will remain steadfast in its quest for peace "it will not cower in fear in the face of open challenges."
He already ordered the local Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Army in the area to pursue the attackers.
"Let me assure the residents of Maasim and in Sarangani that the local government units will continue to protect your lives and properties," he told his constituents in his statement.
Two civilians were killed while another was wounded when Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels raided the town of Maasin in Sarangani province early morning of August 18. The rebels also ransacked several establishments in the town's public market.
Meanwhile, reports from the Philippine Army's 1002nd Brigade showed that about 50 fully-armed rebels led by MILF Commanders Dante Macaputang and Mursad Taya of the 104th Brigade Command of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces first harassed the Maasim police station around 2 a.m. Monday.
As the harassment on the police station was ongoing, another group of rebels also ransacked one pawnshop and one drugstore in the downtown market.
Three civilians were reportedly shot by the rebels. Two died while the other one was wounded.
The fatalities were identified as Jojo Ruiz Baron, a tricycle driver, and Jolito Omas. The wounded is identified as Jason Orapa.
The rebels also shot a power transmission line that resulted to a power interruption.
Earlier before the attack, another group of about 20 MILF rebels were said to have been monitored arriving at sitio Bual, Barangay Daliao in Maasim around 11:30 p.m. Sunday.
The rebels were said to have came from Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat.
Barangay officials of Daliao reportedly negotiated with the armed MILF rebel appealing to them to leave the area and forego with their planned attack, but to no avail.
The MILF rebels then proceeded to the Maasim PNP and positioned themselves at the vicinity of Barangay Bales located just at the back of the police station and near the Notre Dame School.
Police Regional Director Felizardo Serapio said the suspects arrived at the town's public market around 5 a.m., emptied vending stalls of grocery items and meat and vegetables, and attempted to set the building on fire.
Serapio said Sarangani police engaged the raiders in a brief firefight, wounding at least five of them.
Another group of MILF rebels attacked an Army detachment nearby as they exited the town.
But Commander Adan Abdulla of the 106th Brigade of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces, the MILF's armed wing denied involvement in the attack, said: "There was no order to attack the town."
MILF civil military affairs chief Eid Kabalu hinted the attack could be part of a grand design to put the Front in a bad light.
"We know there are other groups opposed to the peace process and conducting sabotage operations," Kabalu said.
The attack in Maasim was preceded by a firefight between Moro rebels and government troops in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato, last Sunday.
Reports from the South Cotabato Provincial Social Welfare Office said the skirmishes led to the evacuation of some 400 residents in the area to prevent from being caught in the crossfire.
In Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat, residents of Barangay Sangay and Obial reported the massing anew of MILF combatants since Sunday.
Colonel Julieto Ando, chief of the Army's 6th Infantry Division's civil military operations, said the brewing tension in the two barangays was rooted to a long-standing land conflict.
The Army, however, had already sent contingent to prevent any intrusion of MILF rebels in the area. (Edwin G. Espejo, Ben O. Tesiorna, and Malu Cadelina Manar)
