ICC Dispatch - Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Timely info from residents prevent the LMG to conduct atrocities in LDS

ICC Iligan City, Nov. 11 -- Timely information from concerned residents has prevented the lawless MILF group (LMG) to conduct atrocities in Wao and Bumbaran towns, both of Lanao del Sur (LDS).

This is the assessment of Col. Nicanor E. Dolojan, Commander of the 3rd Infantry Brigade, 4th Infantry Division (403rd Bde), Philippine Army, relative to the recent encounter which happened between troops of the 29th Infantry Battalion and elements of the LMG belonging to the 103rd Base Command under Alim Pangalian who are operating in the province.

Dolojan said the residents spotted elements of the LMG believed to be members of the 103rd Base Command based in Butig, LDS who were harboring themselves in Sitio Unit Three of Barangay Park Area in Wao.

Upon learning of the situation, Dolojan instructed the 29IB to conduct security operations, even as it tasked the 43rd Detachment Reserve Command (DRC) which is under the operational control of the 8IB to conduct clearing operations in the area.

During the conduct of the security operations, however, troops of the 29IB under the 403Brigade encountered more or less 200 hundred members of Pangalian’s men resulting in a firefight that lasted for almost six (6) hours, after which the enemies withdrew towards the forested area of Bumbaran.

With artillery support from the 10th Artillery Battalion PA, which delivered a number of rounds of howitzers, the enemies suffered 10 killed in action (KIA) and 15 wounded in action (WIA) based on signal intelligence and human report per observation of the Army troops as the LMG grabbed their comrades while on the route of their withdrawal.

Recovered from the fighting scene were: one (1) B40 rocket, several LMG uniforms, personal belongings, foodstuff and other important documents which manifested that they have set up a temporary stay for a day or two in the area.

The 403rd Bde has deployed two of its battalions, the 8th IB and 30th IB as augmentation forces of the law enforcement units in the coastal areas of Lanao del Norte which are under the area of responsibility (AOR) of the First Infantry Division (IID), PA.

Wao and Bumbaran are within the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) but are included, together with the provinces of Camiguin, Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental, the Agusan and Surigao provinces in the Caraga region, within the AOR of the 4th Infantry Division, PA based in Cagayan de Oro City. (RCA/PIA10)


Army to continue law enforcement operations against splintered LMG

ICC Iligan City, Nov. 11 – The Philippine Army will continue its law enforcement operations against lawless MILF group (LMG) leader Bravo, even as it sticks to the statement that the LMG have splintered and resorted to smaller groups.

Thus stressed Lt. Col. Agane Adriatico, Civil Military Operations (CMO) Chief, G7, First Infantry Division (IID), Philippine Army, during a media forum at the Information Command Center (ICC), Philippine Information Agency, this city. 10

Adriatico said the LMG’s splintering into small groups can be manifested by their recent harassment made on the Army troops that took place at around 11:30 p.m. last Nov. 9, in Balindong, Lanao del Sur (LDS).

At that time, elements of “C” Company of the 65th Infantry Battalion, PA was establishing a temporary patrol base in Barangay Bubong Kalabaan and crossing national highway going towards Bulalan all in Balindong town when they were harassed by a number of LMG.

Adriatico said a firefight ensued which lasted for 30 minutes resulting in one wounded in action (WIA) who was hit at the back of his body on the government side.

However, due to the darkness of the evening, the number of casualties from the enemy side could not be determined, as it is their usual practice to drag their wounded comrades, Adriatico added. (RCA/PIA10)


Lanao Sur kidnappings could be a diversionary tactic of the LMG

ICC Iligan City, Nov. 11 – The kidnappings in Lanao del Sur (LDS) are police matters which are being investigated by the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Thus explained Lt. Col. Agane Adriatico, Civil Military Operations (CMO) Chief, G7, First Infantry Division (IID), Philippine Army, who said investigations on kidnappings are conducted by the PNP since these are as police matters.

“But we are not discounting the fact that these are just diversionary tactics applied by the lawless MILF groups (LMG), Adriatico said during a recent media briefing at the Information Command Center (ICC), Philippine Information Agency, this city.

He said bandits engage in kidnappings because they need money and it is possible that the LMG are doing it to raise funds because they are now running out of supply for their food and ammunition or they could be doing it to divert the attention of the military.

Meanwhile, he said since the 102nd Base Command of LMG leader Bravo have splintered into smaller groups, the concentration has shifted to that of the 103 Base Command under Alim Pangalian which the Army troops have uncovered in the boundaries of Wao and Bumbaran towns in LDS.

In fact, they have already engaged our troops, particularly, the 29th Infantry Battalion, PA in the area, Adriatico said.

Asked if there is a possibility that Bravo has gone to LDS, Adriatico said the 102nd Base Command of Abdullah Macapaar or Bravo is operating in Lanao del Norte and that he is still on the run and continuously hiding in Mt. Gurain along the boundaries of Piagapo and Madalum, LDS and Munai, Poona Piagapo and Tangkal in LDN.

It is the 103rd Base Command of Pangalian which is operating in Wao while it is the 101st Base Command under Abu Fais which is operating in the mountainous area of Mt. Gurain along Kalanogas and Balindong, LDS.

The recent encounter in Wao with the government troops was with the LMG of the 103rd Base Command of Pangalian, another leader of the LMG, Adriatico added. (RCA/PIA10)


Medical mission is part of rehabilitation process in Lanao Norte

ICC Iligan City, Nov. 11 – The on-going medical mission in the most affected towns of the armed conflict is part of the rehabilitation process being undertaken by the Provincial Government of Lanao del Norte (LDN).

This was stressed by Cassan Maquiling, member of the Sangguniang Panglalawigan (SP) who said the medical mission is conducted, particularly in Poona Piagapo, Tangkal, Matungao, Munai and Kauswagan, which are the most affected towns of the on-going armed conflict in the province.

Maquiling also disclosed that the health problems within the evacuation centers has escalated as the internally displaced persons (IDP), mostly children, cannot be given proper medical attention and would rather stay in the Municipal Health Center due to financial constraints.

He, however, said that the Provincial Government has released some medical assistance as part of the relief operations since the start of the conflict last August 18, in coordination of the SP Committee on Disaster Preparedness.

Meanwhile, he said the municipality of Munai has made some efforts to convince the IDP’s to go back to their place of origin so they can live a normal life again.

“We are encouraging the IDP’s to go back to their places as the military have already sent some fillers that they can live a normal life and that they should no longer fear of being hit by crossfire,” said Maquiling.

This, as the law enforcement operations for the manhunt of the lawless MILF group (LMG) under Bravo continues, he said.

Maquiling expressed hopes that this calamity will end soon, so these IDP’s will be able to go home and so that there will be peace in the province and the other parts of Mindanao. (OSM – Radyo ng Bayan)


IID conducts command conference to assess operations

ICC Iligan City, Nov. 11 – The Philippine Army has still a lot to do in order to go about the task they are mandated to do, particularly, on the manhunt operation against the lawless MILF group (LMG) here in the Lanao provinces.

This is the assessment of Maj. Gen. Nehemias Pajarito, Commander of the First Infantry Division (IID), Philippine Army, on the recent whole day command conference conducted by the unit at its Advance Command Post (ACP) at the 4th InfantryBrigade, IID in Ditucalan, Maria Crisitina, this city.

“What we have done is purely to assess what IID has done in the past three (3) months after the armed conflict which was started by the LMG last August 18 in Lanao del Norte,” Pajarito said

He said they will determine what are the barriers in their continued law enforcement operations of his troops to be able to implement some changes in the operations.

Pajarito also said he is hopeful that all efforts not only of the Armed Forces of the Philippine (AFP) but also of the populace, will give positive results in the manhunt operation against Bravo and his men sooner than expected.

The conference was attended by all four (4) brigade commanders under the IID, namely the 101st, 102nd, 103rd and 104th Brigades and the 3rd Infantry Brigade of the 4th Infantry Division (403rd Bde), all assigned in the two (2) Lanao and Zamboanga provinces.

“This was also because we wanted to size up the situation which were affected by the armed conflict and make some efforts to come up with good plans to be able to gain peace in the said provinces and the rest of the island of Mindanao,” Pajarito added. (OSM – Radyo ng Bayan)


No need of additional army division for Lanao provinces -- MGen. Pajarito

ICC Iligan City, Nov. 11 – At least two (2) Philippine Army divisions are presently serving the two Lanao provinces, hence, there is no need for the creation of another army division in the area.

This was disclosed by Maj. Gen. Nehemias Pajarito, in reaction to the request of Congressman Abdullah Dimaporo of the 2nd district of Lanao del Norte who has asked Malacanang for an additional army division in this province after the armed conflict broke out last August18.

Pajarito said these two army divisions, namely the First Infantry Division (IID), PA, based in Pagadian City and 4ID based in Cagayan de oro City are doing their best to address the situation specially in maintaining peace and order in the two (2) Lanaos, as part of their area of responsibility (AOR).

Cong. Dimaporo’s request was made to expedite the manhunt of the lawless MILF group (LMG) who attacked Kauswagan and Kolambugan Lanao del Norte that resulted not only to damage of properties but also to loss of lives which had a bad effect on the on going peace process for the province.

He however commended the efforts of IID and 4ID based for doing their best also to bring LMG leader Bravo and his men to justice so that peace will prevail in this area.

The congressman believes that no progress and development will set in, until peace will prevail, which has always been the dream of any Muslim and Christian, not only in LDN but also in the entire island of Mindanao. (OSM – Radyo ng Bayan ).


100 Shariff Kabunsuan homes energized by AMORE

ICC, Cotabato City (11 November) - Some 100 homes in a former war-torn village of Buldon, Shariff Kabunsuan, were energized following the construction of a micro-hydro power plant was completed over the weekend.

The Alliance for Mindanao Off-grid Renewable Energy (AMORE), a program funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), led the construction on November last year of a 35-kW power plant using as source the Kumaguingking River in Barangay Karim, Buldon.

AMORE chief Tetchi Cruz-Capellan said the micro-hydro energy system, already an established technology, was the most realistic way to bring power to remote mountain villages.

“It is easy to install and operate, and is cheap and sustainable. With the renewable energy law in place, more rivers can be tapped to help poor families in remote villages have access to light," she said.

The micro-hydro power facility, mainly designed for lighting only, will enable each household to avail of a maximum 81,637 kWh annually, according to Amore.

The facility has benefited both residents of Barangay Karim and nearby Minabay, isolated for decades due to armed fighting.

A 73-year old Songcarang Dimasindil, former leader of Barangay Karim, was among those who appreciated the project.

"My heart bleeds every time I see my children and great-grandchildren live in darkness for so many years. But today, the place is no longer dark,” he told Amore.

At first, Dimasindil was indifferent when Amore representatives, together with Winrock International, went to their place a couple of years ago to propose the construction of a micro-hydro plant using the Kumaguingking River.

"Later did we realize the enormous potential of that river," he said.

Although Dimasindil only lived few days after the light came into his village, he was grateful the project reached his place.

Through a hydrological study conducted by Winrock International, they were able to determine the strength and reliability of the Kumaguingking River .

By November 2007, after the studies yielded positive results, the construction began.

With the funds amounting to P7.4 million, the 35 kW micro-hydro plant was completed last May 2008.

As part of the equity of the village, the residents helped in the construction.

Together, they dug and cemented more than a kilometer-long diversion canal from the Kumaguingking upstream."

The canal directs to a penstock and power house downstream, where the force of water is converted into electricity by a generator.

Starting July this year, the villagers started enjoying the lighting facility, the AMORE said. (NYP/Malu C. Manar/jmd/PNA/PIA12)


Commentary: Decommissioning of arms

ICC, General Santos City (11 November) - The government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) should take a hard look and maybe consider the negotiation model in Northern Ireland peace talks that have ended with a historic agreement.

If we were to look into the chronicles of this event, the accord was reached after two years of negotiations that ended over three decades of conflict

The most frightening in that negotiation was the heightening of tension and mayhem when Northern Ireland and Irish Republican had reached an agreement on the last of the most contentious issue which is the decommissioning of arms.

The MILF and the government cannot negate the fact that the civilian communities in the areas of conflict of Mindanao had grown weary over the continuing armed confrontation which every now and then displaced them from their habitations. It is quite a frustration that the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain was not given a day for the people affected to decide in a plebiscite. It is even more unfortunate that even before the petition for the restraining order could have been decided, the lawless faction of the MILF led by Kumanders Pangalian, Umbra Kato and Bravo sow terror in unsuspecting remote barangays in Sarangani, North Cotabato and Lanao del Norte.

Lesson should be absorbed from the success in Ireland peace negotiation and the failure of the peace talks in Mindanao. In the former, the issue of disarmament is foremost agenda in the final stage of the talks because the Unionists and the Republicans had not complied with the spirit of the agreement’s requirement for the decommissioning of arms.

On the other hand, even without the TRO from the Supreme Court, the MOA on AD could not have succeeded in bringing peace to Mindanao because there are forces in the MILF that refuse to concede an inch of Mindanao. Kumander Bravo, in a controversial televised interview with ABS-CBN wants the entire Mindanao. “Amin ang Mindanao,” he thundered. And he etched this in stone when he declared that he will pursue his goal even if this meant extermination of his people.

Bravo maybe presuming that all the Bangsamoro people are with him, but this harsh threat gives you a picture of the MOA aftermath even if it went through. The rogue commanders of the MILF would just have considered the MOA a piece of paper. Will the MILF hierarchy be able to rein-in Bravo, Kato and Pangalian.

It is obvious that the MILF cannot for until today, the three remain to be belligerent forces that are armed to the teeth and inflict atrocities among civilians every second they have the opportunity.

We agree with the call of various sectors for the MILF and the government to renew negotiations. However, there should be a new paradigm. Given the lesson derived from the aborted MOA-AD, it is about time that the two panels ask the people directly whether they want peace and whether they will agree that the rebels keep their firearms to achieve peace. This sounds like a simplistic and stupid question but, why complicate the talks and draw so many pathways when peace can be achieved in a straight line? (MW/PIA GenSan)



ADB to fund Rugnan River Irrigation System (RIS) Phase I rehab

ICC, Cotabato City (11 November) - The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) assures local officials and farmers to undertake speedy rehabilitation of the Rugnan River Irrigation System (RRIS) located in Taraka, Lanao del Sur.

Although, the province of Lanao del Sur is under the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). NIA Region XII has the direct supervision of the Rugnan River Irrigation System.

During the recent ARMM Food Caravan, some affected farmers in Lanao del Sur have expressed concern over the non-operational of the irrigation system affecting the rice production not only in the province but the whole autonomous region. Rice producing provinces of ARMM include Maguindanao, Shariff Kabunsuan and Lanao del Sur.

In response, a NIA X official said, the agency is negotiating with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for the approval of the Southern Philippines Irrigation Support Program (SPISP) Loan Extension amounting to P261 million.

The official said, Phase I of the Rugnan River Irrigation System rehabilitation involves 1,350 hectares covering the towns of Taraka, Lumba-Bayabao, Poona-Bayabao and Molundo.

The rehabilitation of RRIS under Phase I will benefit some 1,295 rice farmers of the four towns covered by the said irrigation system. (pbc/PIA Cot)


5 Maguindanao cooperatives recipient of LEAD projects

ICC, Cotabato City (11 November) – The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF), Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and the Regional Agriculture Fishery Council (RAFC) distributed a fund amounting to P519, 975 to 5 qualified cooperatives recently.

RAFC-ARMM Chairman Datu Saleh Mangelen said, each cooperative received P103, 995.00. These cooperatives are; Upper Siling Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative located in Buluan, Maguindanao, Kagkalimuwa Multi-Purpose Cooperative in barangay Idtig, Paglat, Maguindanao, Barrio Muslim Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Poblacion Buluan, Maguindanao, Amsaal Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative, located at Datu Abdullah Sangki, Maguindanao and B1 and B2 Farmers Association, Borongotan, Upi, Maguindanao.

Mangelen bared that the said projects are aimed to strengthening the production aspect of the Halal Industry in ARMM.

DAF-ARMM Secretary Keise T. Usman and top officials of the department witnessed the distribution of checks to the recipients. Usman said, the fund for the said projects fall under the Livelihood Enhancement for Agricultural Development (LEAD).

Usman advised the beneficiaries to properly implement and manage the approved goat raising project which will boost their socio-economic condition and as producers of “halal” goat meat in the region. (MCD-PIA Cotabato City)


Cotabato Highway Angels in NorCot proposed

ICC, COTABATO CITY (11 November) – North Cotabato Vice-Governor Emmanuel Piñol is pushing for the formation of a special group of fine-looking women traffic law enforcers, aptly dubbed as the Cotabato Highway Angels (CHA), as a new image of traffic law enforcement in the province.

“The group shall take the place of the regular deputized Land Transportation Office (LTO) agents in North Cotabato,” Piñol said in an interview.

He said CHA members should be college graduates, residents of North Cotabato and foremost requirement of having a pleasing personality.

“Who would dare bribe a beautiful traffic enforcer by the way? A driver would feel ashamed of himself in doing so, I presume,” a beaming Piñol stressed.

He said group members should undergo proper orientation and training on traffic rules and regulations and traffic law enforcement as conducted by the provincial government in coordination with the LTO and the Philippine National Police Traffic Management Group.

In addition, he said the group members are provided with proper identification documents, official uniforms, issued with motorcycles for mobility and receives proper monthly compensation from the provincial government.

The past several months, the provincial LTO has gained notoriety among vehicle owners, drivers and operators due to malpractices committed by deputized agents during law enforcement operations along the national highway.

Accordingly, the LTO deputized agents were purposely looking even for the most mundane and trivial violations just so they could mulct from drivers of vehicles plying the national highway.

Local businesspersons also complain about the unnecessary delays and income loss caused by these LTO operations, which also result in undue delay in the delivery of basic services by government agencies.

“To bring back the people’s trust in the LTO and ensure a more honest and effective traffic law enforcement practice, a new approach to traffic law enforcement in the province of North Cotabato need to be implemented and in line with this, the creation of the Cotabato Highway Angels is proposed,” Piñol said. (NYP/Carlos C. Bautista/jmd/PNA/PIA12)


44 ex-NPA rebels complete livelihood training under SIP

ICC General Santos City (11 November) - The government’s Social Integration Program (SIP) is making wave in encouraging rebels to go back to mainstream society.

On Saturday, November 8, 44 former New People’s Army (NPA) rebels completed their livelihood training as part of the SIP under the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP).

The 3-day livelihood training started on November 5, said Major Medel Aguilar, group commander of the 5th Civil Relations Group, Civil Relations Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Keynote speaker Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Hermogenes Esperon Jr., said SIP “is a landmark project that will contribute in the peacemaking program of the government.”

Esperon believed that former rebels can be “productive” once opportunities knock on their door. He also said developed communities would motivate “more active rebels to surrender and make insurgency irrelevant.”

The training curriculum involved value formation, cooperative management, fruit-bearing tree planting techniques, and vegetable and farm production.

It also covered practical exercises with the supervision of Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO), Technology Livelihood Development Center (TLDC), and Philippine Cooperative Office (PCO) personnel.

Medel said that each rebel returnee received P50,000 worth of livelihood assistance from the different government agencies at the end of the 3-day training.

“Some of the former rebels received working carabaos, hand tractors, rice threshers, mud boats, chainsaw, motorcycles, farm implements and grocery items for sari-sari stores,” he said.

The lumads rebel group who surrendered in February this year organized themselves into a cooperative which they named as Kadayawan Multi-Purpose Cooperative.

From the livelihood assistance they bought 8-hectare farmland, a hand tractor and farm implements to start a new life, said Medel.

To ensure the provision of appropriate government intervention, the group also signed an agreement with Department of Agriculture (DA), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Local Government Unit and the PSWDO for material support and training, as well as continuous supervision to help them succeed.

Medel said that among the forty four former rebels, 24 were from San Luis, 7 from Rosario, 2 from Loreto and 11 from Bgy New Visayas, San Francisco, all of Agusan del Sur.

Most of them belong to the indigenous cultural communities whose ancestral domains have been controlled and dominated by the CPP/NPA/NDF, Medel disclosed.

The SIP is implemented pursuant to Administrative Order 172 promulgated on March 23, 2007 and was launched on June 18 this year in Camp Panacan, Davao City by no less than President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo herself.

The closing program for the livelihood training was held at the DOP Sports Complex in Patin-ay, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur. (PIA SarGen)