1,500 more troops dispatched to Sulu

ZAMBOANGA CITY — About 1,500 government troops set sail for Sulu yesterday to fight forces loyal to renegade Gov. Nur Misuari of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) as the Commission on Elections (Comelec) prepared for Monday’s elections to choose Misuari’s successor.

The three infantry battalions in full battle gear left Zamboanga City aboard transport ships to reinforce about 5,000 troops sent earlier to the island, who are fighting Moro National Liberation Front guerrillas belonging to Misuari’s faction.

Maj. Gen. Glicerio Sua, Western Mindanao military commander, said the troops, backed by attack aircraft and artillery, are running after guerrillas under Misuari and not the entire MNLF command in the region.

"We cannot allow a group of renegades to succeed in an uncivil intent," he said. "The choice is clear, the decision to make is not difficult — we cannot allow Misuari to destroy the bright and peaceful future of the Sulu people."

Reinforcements have been sent to Sulu to ensure the holding of a peaceful election in the ARMM on Monday, in case Misuari’s forces try to disrupt it, he added.

Comelec Commissioner Luzviminda Tancangco said recent fighting has displaced thousands of people in the ARMM and fear of more clashes will likely keep turnout low among the 1.1 million eligible voters.

"When people get displaced and people get worried, would elections be their primary consideration?" she asked.

People in remote areas, weakened by Ramadan fasting, may also refuse to walk 10 kilometers or more to the nearest polling station, she added.

In Cotabato City, three people were severely wounded yesterday when suspected partisans of Misuari hurled grenades at a car parked in front of the Comelec regional office.

Cotabato police director Superintendent Sanggacala Dampac said those in critical condition are businesswoman Sheryl Siao, owner of an Internet café on the second floor of the building which houses the Comelec office, her helper Elmer Abid, and security guard Delfin Delumbar.

All three are undergoing treatment at a nearby hospital, he added.

Dampac said the suspects threw the grenade at Siao’s car as she and Abid were about to board it, while Delumbar was escorting Siao to open the car’s door for her.

"Investigators suspect that the perpetrators could have mistaken Siao and Abid as Comelec personnel who are about to leave their office," he said.

The blast was so strong that Siao’s car was completely destroyed, he added.

Army intelligence sources told The STAR the bombers in the two attacks could have targeted lawyer Clarita Callar, Comelec regional director, and her staff, who are preparing for Monday’s elections in Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur.

Cotabato City Mayor Muslimin Sema, a member of the "Council of 15," the MNLF’s new collective leadership, said the police and military have placed under tight surveillance identified followers of Misuari in the city.

"Cotabato City is not an integral part of the ARMM," he said. "Its residents will not participate in Monday’s regional elections." Brig. Gen. Roy Kyamko, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said military intelligence agents have been deployed in strategic points in Cotabato City to help police monitor the activities of groups planning to derail the elections.

Elections will be held Monday in the ARMM provinces of Tawi-Tawi, Basilan, Sulu, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, and in Marawi City. – Roel Pareño, John Unson