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Saturday, August 11, 2007
Security tightened to stop entry of contrabands
By Bong Garcia
ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The military's Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) strengthened security measures to prevent the entry of contrabands in the island province of Basilan.
Wesmincom information officer Major Eugenio Batara Jr. said checkpoints were set up in strategic places to block the entry of illegally purchased firearms and ammunitions, including explosives that could be used against government troops.
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Batara said the move is to prevent lawless elements, especially Abu Sayyaf bandits, from replenishing their supplies while the troops are pursuing them in the hinterlands of Basilan.
Fourteen marine troops, 10 of them beheaded, were killed while nine others wounded in an ambush staged by Abu Sayyaf bandits allegedly aided by Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels in Barangay Ginanta in the newly created municipality of Al-Barka.
Earlier this week, the bandits harassed Marine troops stationed in the newly created town of Ungkaya Pukan, prompting the soldiers to launch a counterstrike.
Batara denied allegations of the MILF that the military is implementing food blockade in the towns of Ungkaya Pukan, Al-Barka, Tipo-Tipo, and other towns in Basilan.
"We are not implementing a food blockade in the area because we know that is a violation of human rights," Batara said, pointing out that there are civilians staying in those areas.
"What we are stopping is the entry of illegally purchased guns, ammunition and explosives which we believe would be used against government troops or any government personnel that would go there," he added.
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Regional Director Geraldine Balbuena agreed that there was no food blockade in Basilan. Otherwise, she added, they would have been able to distribute the relief goods in Al-Barka.
The DSWD readied 2,500 packs of relief goods worth some P700,000 for the thousands of civilians who are temporarily sheltered in evacuation centers. (Sunnex)For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Zamboanga. (August 11, 2007 issue)
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