Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Midsayap conflict is 'far from over'
By Ben O. Tesiorna
DAVAO CITY -- Even with the ceasefire agreement between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and military, the armed conflict in Midsayap, North Cotabato is far from over.
Government troops have recently warned of more skirmishes if the MILF does not reposition its troops.
The MILF, meanwhile, accused the military of abuses, saying civilians were apprehended and tortured Sunday by government soldiers.
In a report posted at its website luwaran.com, the MILF said four civilians were apprehended by the reconnaissance unit of the Philippine Army in Barangay Ulandang of Midsayap. One of the civilians was seriously battered.
"Another physically battered civilian known as Haron from Barangay Kapimpilan, Midsayap was brought to a hospital in Cotabato City by another civilian who saw that Haron could just barely walk. The four civilians were identified as Mira Matelendo, 29; Tho Alim, 24; Bahnarin Alim, 18; and Endong Alim, 16. They...were uprooted by the recent clashes in Midsayap and seeking refuge at Datu Gumbay Elementary School in Datu Piang, Maguindanao," the report stated.
The MILF said that another civilian, identified only as Omar, was arrested by the elements of the 7th IB of the Philippine Army last February 2 at Barangay
Rangeban, Midsayap.
Omar is reportedly being held in detention at the Philippine National Police- Midsayap.
"The MILF-Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities and International Monitoring Team (IMT) was allowed to visit him yesterday at the office of the Chief Police of Midsayap. The MILF-CCCH relayed to luwaran that Omar was being forced to admit that he was an intelligence officer of the MILF. Omar said he is not MILF but an Imam (leader) of the Mosque in Rangeban," luwaran reported.
Lieutenant Colonel Julieto Ando, spokesman of the 6th ID, said tension has subsided in Barangay Tugal where running firefights between soldiers and MILF rebels happened last Friday.
But Majoro General Nehemias Pajarito, commander of the Army's 6th Infantry Division, told officials of the joint ceasefire committee and representatives of the Malaysian-led IMT that hostilities could only be prevented if combatants of the MILF would retreat to the southern part of Midsayap, across the Pulangi River.
The military expressed its concern over the reported setting up of roadblocks by MILF rebels along portions of the highway connecting Midsayap and Datu Piang.
The rebels reportedly showed force along stretches of the highway, forcing residents to flee their homes.
Ando said their division commander has already asked local officials to convince the rebels to leave the highway and return to their enclaves. He said the rebels seem to be complying so far. (Sun.Star Davao/Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Cebu. (February 6, 2007 issue)
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