Tuesday, October 28, 2008 Civilians back military campaign in Lanao
TIMELY information from cooperative civilians led to the series of clashes recently between government troops and the rouge Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels in the Lanao provinces, a military official disclosed.
Captain Ralph Dela Cruz, officer-in-charge of the Army’s 1st Infantry Division civil-military operations, said it is a clear indication that the popular support previously enjoyed by the group of Abdulrahman Macapaar alias Commander Bravo has eroded because even his Muslim brothers in the two provinces no longer welcome him.
Dela Cruz was referring to the five clashes that had taken place after the observance of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in September within an area of approximately 50 square kilometers at the boundary of the Lanao provinces.
Three of the five clashes were considered major armed confrontations owing to the large number of rouge MILF members involved, Dela Cruz said.
The three major clashes took place last Wednesday in the villages of Udalo and Madalum in Piagapo, Lanao del Sur and last Thursday in the village of Maliwanag, Poona Piagapo, Lanao del Norte.
“This courageous act of the civilians in giving timely information which resulted in successful law enforcement operations has also inspired the government troops to strive more to carry out their mandated task of securing and protecting the constituents,” Dela Cruz said.
Government troops launched offensives against the group of Commander Bravo after he led simultaneous and separate attacks last August 18 in Lanao del Norte. (Bong Garcia)
