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Saturday, August 09, 2008
MILF still in North Cotabato
DAVAO (Updated 6:45 p.m.) -- Contrary to claims by both the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the government, MILF rebels are still occupying five towns and nine barangays in North Cotabato even after the 24-hour ultimatum lapsed.
Both the government and MILF have said they started "repositioning" their forces Friday.
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But in a telephone interview Saturday, North Cotabato police director Lester Camba said MILF rebels have not withdrawn from the six barangays in Aleosan and Midsayap, which they occupied since last month.
Camba clarified that there are only six barangays forcibly occupied by the MILF and not five towns and nine barangays as declared by the national officials Thursday.
Related Story:
MILF leaves North Cotabato areas
Camba said they are still waiting for the result of the negotiation between the MILF and the government, which is ongoing as of this writing Saturday.
Asked what possible worst case scenario could happen if the MILF refuses to withdraw from the six barangays, Camba said he is not in position to make any statement as Brigadier General Rey Sealana is the one negotiating in behalf of the government.
Sealana is the Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) chair for the government side.
Aleosan Mayor Loreto Cabaya also confirmed the non-withdrawal of MILF forces in his town.
"The CCCH is doing its best to persuade the MILF to leave. The repositioning has not take place yet," Mayor Cabaya said Saturday afternoon.
The National Government on Thursday gave the MILF a 24-hour deadline to vacate the areas they have forcibly taken from some settlers in North Cotabato towns since last month.
Meanwhile, chief government negotiator Rodolfo Garcia said security concerns might delay the pullout of MILF forces from some areas in North Cotabato.
Garcia said MILF forces in Barangay Tapodoc, Aleosan in the province is concerned about security, after shots were fired in the area Friday night.
"The complication in the withdrawing is security. We are fixing that now. I am very hopeful and confident this will be settled soon," he said. (With Sunnex)For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro. (August 9, 2008 issue)
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