Tuesday, August 26, 2008 MILF-attacked towns get aid
INTERIOR and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno on Monday distributed a total of P2.1 million in financial aid to several towns in Lanao del Norte Province, which had suffered from atrocities committed by lawless elements of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
On behalf of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Puno gave P1 million in financial aid to the Lanao del Norte Provincial Government, P500,000 to the town of Kolambugan, P300,000 to Kauswagan, and another P300,000 to Linamon.
Earlier, Puno also gave P500,000 to the Ozamis City Government to help it cope with the rising number of evacuees from neighboring towns attacked by MILF renegade forces.
According to the local government chief, the amount would help restore normalcy in the affected areas and bring back displaced residents to their homes.
In his visit to Kolambugan, which was one of several towns attacked by rogue MILF members in Lanao del Norte, Puno also authorized the deputization of police auxiliaries (PAs) from civilian volunteer organizations (CVOs) in the town and other areas prone to MILF attacks.
"Each barangay will be authorized to deputize five police auxiliaries who will be under the strict supervision of the Philippine National Police (PNP)," Puno said.
He said applicants would undergo a rigid screening process and training program before they can be deputized as armed police auxiliaries who will help the PNP maintain peace and order at the barangay level.
At the same time, Puno, who also chairs the National Police Commission Napolcom), warned local government units (LGUs) against tapping these police auxiliaries as private armies. He stressed that reports of abuses committed by local officials will be immediately investigated.
He said abuses committed by local officials would lead to the automatic revocation of the authority of police auxiliaries in their areas and the cancellation by the Napolcom of their power to approve the deputization of CVOs.
Puno, during his visit, also turned over a police patrol car to the Kolambugan Municipal Government and firearms and other equipment to the town's chief-of-police and barangay officials for the use of their police auxiliaries.
He likewise gave P100,000 in financial aid to the family of policeman Dexter Salvacion, who was among the casualties of the MILF ambuscades in Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte.
The DILG chief began his two-day visit to Mindanao last Monday to assess the situation in villages attacked by MILF renegade forces and discuss measures with local chief executives on how to restore normalcy in these areas.
Besides meeting with local officials, Puno said he will also hold dialogues with Muslim Ulama and Catholic bishops to address the displacement of tens of thousands of residents in villages attacked by the MILF.
As of Monday morning, the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) said more than 56,000 families or about 272,000 persons were forced to flee their homes as a result of the MILF incursions in Mindanao.
Around 23,000 families or 105,000 persons are housed in 129 evacuation centers, while more than 34,000 families or about 167,000 persons are either staying outside evacuation centers or in houses away from the attacks.
From Kolambugan, Puno will proceed to Iligan City to take part in a multi sectoral dialogue to be attended by local officials and representatives of religious groups. He will also turn over equipment to the chief-of-police and barangay officials for the use of CVOs in the city.
On Tuesday, Puno will hold a press conference in Cagayan de Oro City before flying to Cotabato City to visit the town of Midsayap, one of the municipalities attacked by the MILF.
He will hold a dialogue with local officials led by North Cotabato Governor Jesus Sacdalan in Midsayap before motoring to the town of Baliki to directly speak with affected families in the area and supervise a medical and dental mission organized by the DILG for its residents. (Press release)
