Thursday, August 14, 2008 Displaced families to return to overtaken villages soon
THE Philippine National Police (PNP) said it is seeing the imminent return of at least 160,000 North Cotabato communities from where hundreds of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels were dislodged after weeks of forcible occupation.
PNP spokesman Nicanor Bartolome said as of Wednesday, security forces from both the PNP and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) were still clearing the barangays, abandoned by the rebels due to military pressure, of possible landmines.
"The Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police are conducting further clearing operations in the affected areas of North Cotabato to ensure that there are no more hazards that may pose danger to lives and properties," said Bartolome.
"With optimism, we foresee that sooner the dispossessed residents in North Cotabato will be able to return to their homes and normalcy will be restored in these areas," said Bartolome.
Incidentally, the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) said about a half of the displaced families have already returned to the villages, especially in the areas which were checked for possible landmines of booby traps planted by the rebels before they withdrew to Maguindanao.
"Meanwhile, addressing the concerns of the Internally Displaced Persons (IPDs) remains our top priority while the residents are awaiting their safe return to their homes. We have started to infuse the humanitarian assistance and disaster response in coordination with the local government authorities," said Bartolome.
"PNP and AFP medical teams are working closely with local government units in providing assistance to displaced persons. Some evacuees of the cleared barangays have started coming back but only to check on their properties," he added.
Bartolome said the PNP is very cautious "about the sudden influx of returning residents because our troops have discovered a booby trap in one of the cleared barangays."
"There was also a foiled attempt by MILF renegade forces under commander Ameril Umbra Kato to take control of a stretch of national highway particularly Midsayap-Kabacan Highway," the official said.
Bartolome also said that the 1201st Police Provincial Mobile Group stationed in Pikit, North Cotabato and tasked to secure the highway was attacked by about 200 MILF renegades, but police personnel led by Chief Inspector Gilberto Tuzon held the line and put up a gallant stand until AFP reinforcements backed by two Simba armored fighting vehicles and two OV-10 strike aircraft engaged the retreating MILF renegades.
"The PNP is also strengthening the defense system in areas not affected by the conflict to prevent incursions from 'repositioning' renegades particularly the flanks bounded by Maguindanao Province and Shariff Kabunsuan district," he said.
"While continuous clearing operations are being conducted to sanitize the entire area, our hopes remain anchored on all possible peaceful solutions to every issue that led to this incident," said Bartolome. (VR/Sunnex)
