Censure of MILF members in NCotabato attack sought

COTABATO CITY, Philippines  --- Local officials urged the joint ceasefire committee Monday to censure a group of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels who repeatedly attacked attacked and plundered  an enclave of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in North Cotabato.

More than 3,000 innocent villagers have been displaced by the attacks by marauding MILF rebels at Barangay Marbel in Matalam town, which started on May 5.

Army Captain Tony Bulao, spokesman of the 602nd Brigade based in Carmen, North Cotabato, said the tension spread Sunday to adjoining Kilada and Ilian area,  both in Matalam, owing  to the continuing build up of MILF forces.

The hostilities in Barangay Marbel, a government-recognized enclave of the MNLF, began May 5 when MILF rebels engaged armed villagers  after the latter prevented the former from attending a peace forum in the area carrying guns and in their uniforms.

Datu Dima Ambil, the MILF’s most senior leader in Barangay Marbel, said they were not opposed to the conduct of the peace forum in their camp, which is regarded as a “peace zone” under the September 2, 1996 government-MNLF final peace agreement.

“The problem is that the MILF members would not agree to our demand for them not to carry guns when they enter our territory. There is an election gun ban. They harassed our people, provoking armed encounters,” Ambil said.

Bulao said the hostilities resumed after the elections when MILF rebels again taunted local MNLF members and opened fire, triggering encounters.

“The MILF rebels looted the abandoned houses of villagers and MNLF members. Some of the things stolen from the houses there were recovered in the house of an MILF commander,” Bulao said.

Bulao said some of the MILF rebels even occupied houses of MNLF members who were forced to reposition away due to the continuing build-up of enemy forces around their camp.

Local officials said evacuees have also confirmed losing their farm animals to the MILF guerrillas that plundered their villages.

Members of Matalam’s inter-agency, multi-sectoral municipal peace and order council have urged the government and the MILF’s negotiating panels to look into the wanton abuses by the rebels, in violation of the 1997 Agreement on General Cessation of Hostilities.

“The MILF rebels even set up checkpoints and roadblocks in abandoned areas in Barangay Marbel,” Bulao said.

He said they have been receiving  reports on plans by MILF forces to raid Barangays Ilian and Kilada, which are adjacent Barangay Marbel.

Soldiers and policemen are now deployed in strategic areas around Barangay Marbel, anticipating attacks by rebels.  - John Unson