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Tuesday, August 07, 2007
Census in Al-Barka to start next week
By Bong Garcia
ZAMBOANGA CITY –- The impending punitive action of the government against the Moro secessionists is not stopping the conduct of census population anytime this week in Al-Barka town, where 14 Marine soldiers died in an ambush.
National Statistics Regional Director Maqtahar Manulon said they will hold a coordinative meeting first with other concerned government agencies before the start of the census to ensure the safety of the NSO enumerators.
Arroyo Watch: Sun.Star blog on President Arroyo
However, Manulon said the census on population will not be conducted in the entire town of Al-Barka, saying the survey on at least six barangays will be held later.
Tension remains high in the six barangays following the July 10 ambush staged by the Abu Sayyaf bandits allegedly backed by Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels that resulted to the death of 14 marine troopers, 10 of whom were beheaded.
Residents of the six barangays have fled to safer grounds for fear of being caught in the crossfire, as the military and police forces are set to pursue the ambushers in the area.
Al-Barka, which was crafted out of Tipo-Tipo town and created as a municipality last year, has a total of 16 barangays.
“As much as possible we don’t want to delay the count in any areas of the region,” Manulon said, citing the need to push through with the census on population.
Manulon said the census on population on the six deserted barangays will be conducted later citing the timetable of the survey is until February 2008.
The outcome of the census is to guide the policy makers towards the development of the country, according to Manulon.
Meanwhile, reports reaching Sun.Star said suspected members of the Abu Sayyaf group clashed with soldiers of the Marine Battalion Landing Team 8 in the adjacent town of Al-Barka, Unkaya Pukan late Monday afternoon.
Authorities from the Western Mindanao Command issued no immediate confirmation of the clash in Unkaya Pukan.
However, Al-Barka Mayor Jakilan Karam confirmed the Marines shelling which even lasted until 7 p.m. Monday. (Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Cebu. (August 7, 2007 issue)
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