MILF central guerilla base in Lanao captured

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The center of operations in Lanao del Norte of the 5th Division of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF), armed wing of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, fell yesterday into government hands, the 4th Infantry ‘Diamond’ Division said yesterday.

Major General Cristolito Bulaoing, 4th ID commanding general, said that troops under the 401st Brigade, headed by Colonel Ernesto Boac; and Task Force Diamond, headed by Colonel Armando Cunanan, captured the base of operations of Commander Yahyah Lucsadato, leader of BIAF’s 5th Division. The base, located in Poblacion, Munai, Lanao del Norte, was found abandoned after the military bombarded the area following confirmation from civilians that it was indeed Lucsadato’s base.

Balaoing said that the separatist rebel leader, one of three who led 500 MILF guerrillas in attacking Maigo, Lanao del Norte on April 24, is now hiding in the Gurain mountain ranges in Lanao del Sur.

"Lucsadato has reportedly abandoned his forces after the fall of Munai and believed to be hiding in the Gurain mountain ranges in Lanao del Sur," he said. Bulaoing said Lucsadato had chosen Munai to be his base because the town is a very fertile land with abundant water resources.

At least 14 Moro rebels were killed in the fall of Munai, Bulaoing added.

Cunanan’s forces are presently pursuing the retreating Moro rebels, he also said.

Meanwhile, Munai town Mayor Cosain Maquiling has already scheduled the return of evacuees to the town on May 22. But the evacuees could not go home as of press time because the military is still clearing the area of anti-personnel land mines left there by the retreating rebels.

"Hopefully, as soon as the area is cleared, we will urge the civilians to go home to attend to their farm which is well-tended. Sayang naman ang produkto nila," Balaoing said.

As to the MILF sympathizers who are likely residents of Munai, Balaoing ordered a clearance from the barangay officials especially the barangay captain to vouch for the residents.

"Well, we can’t be sure who are these sympathizers but for as long as they are not armed then they have to go back there to tend their farms, they are not our targets anyway," he said. During the all-out war in 2000, Munai was bypassed and practically untouched.

Meanwhile, Lanao del Sur First District Rep. Faysah Dumarpa urged the MILF to heed the ultimatum of the government. However, Dumarpa criticized the government’s conditions in giving the ultimatum, saying it is arbitrary.

"The fine print of this condition states that the MILF must first admit being a terrorist organization for it to avoid being tagged as one. It is absurd because the MILF has repeatedly denied any involvement in the spate of bombings in Mindanao," Dumarpa said.

Dumarpa worries over the increasing number of civilian populace being displaced as the selective bombings continue to be brought into highly-populated areas. She deemed it is also best for the MILF to heed the ultimatum for peace by offering a counter-proposal and warned that the rebels might lose the sympathy of millions of Muslim Filipinos who adhere to their cause because they could not respond to the offer of the government.