Lamitan back to normal

COTABATO CITY, Philippines  â€“ Life is back to normal in Lamitan City, capital of Basilan, where followers of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founder Nur Misuari earlier tried to stage a siege as they did in Zamboanga City.

Classes in Lamitan schools have resumed and commercial establishments have reopened after having been closed for four days following last week’s attempts by MNLF forces to take over city hall, the plaza and public market.

Local officials tell of stories of how even reclusive local leaders of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), which has a standing interim ceasefire pact with the government, provided them with information on the location and strength of Misuari’s followers as they marched last Sept. 12 to Barangay Colonia en route to the city proper.

Misuari’s followers failed to get through the defense lines put up together the night before by armed Muslim and Christian residents, policemen and combatants of an Army Scout Ranger unit.

Brigido Bajala, chairman of Barangay Colonia, said they were quick enough to anticipate hostilities after having received information from friends outside of Lamitan about the massing of MNLF rebels.

Among those who reportedly warned barangay officials through text messages were MILF leaders who have relatives in Lamitan.

Bajala lost a tanod (watchman), Roger Acaso, who was killed in the initial encounter with the rebels while trying to help a wounded companion.

Lamitan Vice Mayor Roderick Furigay said the rebels got to as close as Barangay Maganda, at the back of the city hall.

Furigay said the rebels, already desperate, even fired at a building of the social welfare department of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, as they fled.