AFP puts up roadblocks in Mindanao

MANILA, Philippines - The military has established roadblocks along major roads in Mindanao in the effort to contain possible outbreak of violence intended to sabotage the peace process after the holy Muslim month of Ramadan.

Regional military spokesman Col. Prudencio Asto said the move is proactive in response to the prevailing security situation.

“The ongoing peace talks in Kuala Lumpur between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is so volatile and unstable that any act of sabotage by any partisan group who wishes to disrupt the talks can have an adverse effect on the outcome of the negotiations,” Asto said.

Spearheaded by the 1st Mechanized Infantry Battalion of the Army’s Light Armor Division under the command of Col. Mayoralgo de la Cruz, the intensified security operations are mainly focused on strategic location along the national highway from the town of Guindulungan up to Shariff Aguak.

Without specifically mentioning the main objective of the heightened security activities in Maguindanao, there were reports that Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) headed by Ameril Umbra Kato are reportedly gearing up and just awaiting for the Ramadan to end before launching actions to sabotage the resumption of the peace talks.

Kato led his men, in breaking away from the MILF, accused their former comrades of betraying the Muslim cause by seeking autonomy instead of struggling for independence.

The MILF dropped its secessionist struggle and has proposed the creation of a sub-state for the Bangsamoro people in Mindanao.

Kato said the MILF is just wasting time negotiating with the government for expanded autonomy instead of waging a battle for an independent Muslim homeland.

Kato was among the hard-line MILF leaders who led large-scale attacks across Mindanao in August 2008 after the Supreme Court outlawed the MOA-AD that could have given the MILF control over an expanded autonomous region.

About 400 people died and some 750,000 were displaced from their homes in that attack.

Kato and his men have recently figured in clashes with the MILF.

The military, on the other hand, has prepared security measures to prevent a spillover of violence that could derail the ongoing peace negotiations.

 “We are encouraging the people of Maguindanao to support and cooperate and if possible inform us if they monitor any unusual or suspicious movements or activities in their respective localities,” Asto said.

On the other hand, government chief negotiator Marvic Leonen assured the local leaders in the region that the government’s proposal to the MILF will not dismember the country.

Leonen said all proposals to the MILF are within the framework of the Constitution and stakeholders would be consulted.

Leonen gave this assurance to local leaders led by Zamboanga City Mayor Celso Lobregat.

Lobregat said Leonen has set to renew the government panel consultations early next month in Mindanao.

“He reiterated that he cannot discuss what he presented but assured us that the proposal is within the realm of the Constitution, no dismemberment of the republic,” Lobregat said.

Leonen also said the sentiments of Zamboanga City residents would be taken into account during the negotiations. – With Roel Pareño