MNLF camp in Maguindanao girds for Army ‘retaliation’

DATU ODIN SINSUAT, Maguindanao — Tension now reigns over the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) camp here as members prepared for an Army retaliation for the brutal killing of two soldiers by an amok from the camp.

Alano Bansawan, chairman of the MNLF’s Sebangan Kutawato State Committee, said they have asked the Army’s 6th Infantry Division not to launch a strike against the camp since the suspect, Omar Malaginon, was not listed in the roster of MNLF in Camp Ibrahim Sema at Barangay Bago Inged here.

Malaginon, known to have mental problems, stole on Monday a Belgian-made sniping rifle and an M-14 rifle from one of the houses inside the MNLF camp here, marched to the nearby detachment of the Army’s 37th infantry battalion and opened fire, killing on the spot Corporals Eddie Umadao and Rolando Franco.

The attack also left another soldier, Pfc. Erasmo Dizon, badly wounded. He is now recuperating at an Army dispensary.

Malaginon, himself, was killed in the incident.

Bansawan said Malaginon is not a full-fledged MNLF member.

"In fact, he attempted to join the Army under the integration program for qualified MNLF members but we blocked his application because we are aware of his mental problems," Bansawan said.

He said that it was only for "humanitarian considerations" that local MNLF leaders had allowed Malaginon to stay in one of the government-accredited enclaves here.

MNLF members in the camp, most of whom are involved in foreign-assisted livelihood projects, have vowed to block soldiers from entering their stronghold if an operation would be carried out in retaliation against the atrocity perpetrated by Malaginon.

Since last week, farmers in the MNLF territories here have been worried of their safety, scared by the military’s reported use of heavy firepower, including M-79 shoulder-fired grenades and helicopter gun ships, in clearing the surroundings of the detachment attacked by Malaginon.

"Legitimate MNLF forces here were not in anyway involved with that carnage. We have already asked the 6th ID not to allow its soldiers to cross the demarcations of our camps to prevent undue friction between our men and the military," Bansawan said.

He added that they would ask the intervention of the Ministerial Committee of Eight, composed of representatives of eight member-countries of the Organization of Islamic Conference that is monitoring the implementation of the Sept. 2, 1996 truce agreement between the government and the MNLF.

Barangay officials in government-recognized MNLF enclaves here have confirmed that members of the front have been girding for a possible Army intrusion in retaliation for the death of Umadao and Franco.