ICC Dispatch - Wednesday, November 19, 2008

De Leon commends 35IB troops for foiling a “rido” in Lanao Norte

ICC Iligan City, Nov. 19 – Col. Benito De Leon, Commander of the 4th Infantry Brigade, First Infantry Division (1ID), Philippine Army, has commended his troops for foiling a “rido” (armed settlement of family feuds) in Sitio Bayabao, Salvador, Lanao del Norte (LDN).

De Leon, particularly, commended the troops belonging to the 35th Infantry Battalion who sent an Army patrol in search of the lawless MILF groups (LMG) responsible for the havoc in the province.

The said Army patrol was dispatched to check the presence of armed elements in area last Nov. 18 when by 1:30 p.m., the same day, they got engaged in a skirmish with a group of about 20 armed elements believed to be preparing to launch a reprisal attack in the said town.

“While no casualties were accounted in the firefight, the encounter resulted in the capture of eight (8) individuals suspected to be associated with the MILF and the recovery of a shotgun, caliber 30 ammunitions, handheld radios, military packs and uniforms,” De Leon said.

Initial investigations showed the group is linked to a prominent MILF leader who intended to do a “rido” to exact revenge with another prominent political personality in the area, the 104Bde Commander disclosed.

The Lanao provinces had always been known for the practice. Just last week, a series of such incidents occurred in the nearby town of Magsaysay, which has prompted the Army to deploy forces to deter the recurrence of violence in the area.

Meanwhile, dialogues with the populace were also undertaken by the military and the local government executives in an attempt to stop such practice of vengeance, De Leon added.

During his visit over the weekend, Sec. Gilberto Teodoro of the Dept. of National Defense (DND) also issued instructions to the military to similarly treat as criminals those who undertake the practice of rido.

“The courts are the only acceptable and lawful institutions for the settlement of disputes to ensure peace and order in a civilized society,” Teodoro reminds the public.. (104Bde/1ID, PA)


MGen Pajarito orders 1st CMOU to re-activate ALPS in Lanao hinterlands

ICC Iligan City, Nov. 19 – The First Civil Military Operations (CMO) Unit of the CMO Group, Philippine Army have been directed to coordinate with the Dept. of Education (DepEd) for the re-activation of the Army Literacy Patrol System (ALPS).

The directive was issued by Maj. Gen. Nehemias Pajarito, Commander of the First Infantry Division (1ID), PA, for the possible utilization of the Army personnel to beef up the teaching force in the two Lanao provinces for the conduct of non-formal education classes in the conflict affected areas.

Thus disclosed Maj. Benedicto Manquiquis, Head of the 1st CMOU, CMOG, PA, during a media briefing at the Information Command Center (ICC), Philippine Information Agency, this city.

Manquiquis said one of the reasons cited during the dialogue with Sec. Gilberto Teodoro of the Dept. of National Defense (DND) in Munai, Lanao del Norte, was that a number of residents in the hinterland barangays were easily brain-washed and convinced to join the lawless MILF group (LMG) due to lack of education.

“That is why MGen. Pajarito has directed us to coordinate with DepEd for possible reactivation of the Army Literacy Patrol System (ALPS) to help educate and alleviate the plight of the Muslim residents in the hinterlands,” Manquiquis said.

An old program, ALPS is actually covered by a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Philippine Army and the DepEd which we have implemented for the indigenous people in areas affected by the New People’s Army (NPA), Manquiquis said.

Meanwhile, he said the ALPS is already incorporated into the Special Advocacy and Livelihood Assistance for the Advancement Among Muslims (SALAAM) program which calls for the training of Muslim trainers.

We have to tap the Muslim soldiers, especially, the Maranao’s, in the SALAAM services because they are more credible to their tribesmen than the Christians. In fact, we already had such services but due to the Aug. 18 incident, the SALAAM service was stopped, Manquiquis added. (RCA/PIA10)



AFP starts community dialogues to convince IDP’s to return to their homes

ICC Iligan City, Nov. 19 -- The Philippine Army in the two Lanao provinces has started to do the best it can in helping the internally displaced persons (IDP) to go home to their respective origins.

This, to implement the directive of the Sec. Gilberto Teodoro of the Dept. National Defense (DND) which is to decongest the evacuation centers of over-staying IDP’s whose children had to be put back to school for their own welfare.

Thus revealed Maj. Jul Acmad Muhalli, Officer-in-Charge of the 4th Infantry Brigade, First Infantry Division (1ID), PA, who said the field commanders of the Army units under its area of responsibility (AOR), had initiated to meet the local government officials of the hinterland towns in Lanao del Norte (LDN) on such campaign.

As it turned out, the consultative dialogue with the Sec. Teodoro, during his recent surprise visit in Munai, LDN, was attended by the town President of the Associated Barangay Captains (ABC), the Municipal Administrative Officer, six (6) Punong Barangays (Captains), four (4) Sangguniang Bayan Kagawads (SB Member) and the Chief of Police.

Per agreement by the residents, the local government officials and the military, the Punong Barangays will furnish the military a list of their residents so they could be issued a safe conduct pass and extended security and transportation services in going back to their homes by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Meanwhile, among the problems presented during the dialogue with the Defense Secretary in Poona Piagapo were the lack of roads, power, water system and lot for the school buildings.

The dialogue in Poona Piagapo, another hinterland town in LDN near Munai, was attended by its Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator, five (5) Punong Barangays, four (4) SB members and Maranao religious leaders or Imams, among others. (RCA/PIA-10)



AFP conducts MEDCAP, gives slippers to children in Saguiaran, Lanao Sur

ICC Iligan City, Nov. 19 --- Hundreds of local residents in the town of Saguiaran, Lanao del Sur (LDS) were given free dental assistance by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

This, after government dentists from the AFP, the US medical and humanitarian representatives and the local government unit (LGU) conducted a one-day medical and civic action project (MEDCAP) in the area, recently.

In a media forum at the Information Command Center (ICC), Philippine Information Agency, this city, Maj. Benedicto Manquiquis, Commander of the First Civil Military Operations (CMO) Unit, CMO Group, Philippine Army said the MEDCAP was initiated by the 33rd Infantry Battalion of the 3rd Infantry Brigade, First Infantry Division (103rd Bde), PA.

“The project is actually 33IB’s gift to the people in the area since it has its headquarters in Pawak, one of Sanguiaran’s barangays,” Manquiquis said.

Local residents, who benefited from the MEDCAP, expressed appreciations to the RP-US military personnel who were around as their contribution to the Filipino people per the Visiting Forces Agreement signed between the two countries.

Among the activities of the MEDCAP was a peace dialogue with the local residents in the area where parlor games were conducted with assorted gifts and prizes, such as, bags, slippers, school supplies, etc. were given to children- beneficiaries, Manquiquis added. (RTD/PIA-Marawi)

Only RAL/FAC beneficiaries can buy NFA rice at Php18.25/kg.

ICC Iligan City, Nov. 19 – Only the beneficiaries listed in the Rice Allocation Ledger (RAL) and those with Family Access Cards (FAC) can buy the National Food Authority (NFA) rice at is subsidized price of Php18.25/kg.

This instruction, which takes effect on December 1, this year, was officially published in the leading national newspapers dated Oct. 31, 2008, for the information of the public, said Edegary H. Roncal, Officer-in-Charge of NFA Iligan City-Lanao del Norte (LDN).

Roncal said the sale of the highly subsidized NFA rice at Php18.25 a kilogram shall now be limited to beneficiaries listed in the RAL/FAC which is validated by the Dept. of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Thus, all operators of NFA Accredited Tindahan Natin Outlets (TNO) and Tindahan sa Parokya (TSP) have been advised to submit the validated list of RAL beneficiaries on or before Nov. 30, 2008.

Failure to comply with the said requirements on the specified date, will disqualify the beneficiaries to avail of the subsidized prize and instead be sold the NFA rice at Php25/ kg.

The City Social Welfare and Development Officer (CSWDO) and the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer (PSWDO) have been already coordinated by the NFA to facilitate the validation of RAL of TNO and TSP accredited outlets located in the city and in the LDN towns.

Meanwhile, Roncal has announced the availability of the NFA Licensed Metal Plates at their provincial office in Baraas, this city, as the food agency is reminding that individuals operating a grains business should get an NFA license per Presidential Decree No. 4.

To facilitate claims for the plates, all NFA licensed grains businessmen of the city and LDN are required to present the official receipt for their payment of Php200 to the licensing officer.

Before the end of Dec. 2008, all the NFA Metal Plates shall have already been posted in the respective establishments of the grains operators, Roncal added. (FRS/NFA- Iligan/LDN)


ARMM peace building efforts generates more positive impact says Ampatuan

ICC Cotabato City (19 November) – ARMM Governor Datu Zaldy “Puti” Uy Ampatuan has called on all his constituents to continue to rally behind his administration even as he said that the regions development is on the right tract.

He claimed the peace efforts of his administration has generated more positive gains as it continue to reap the good graces built by the shared efforts of the national government under the leadership of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the regional government, local government units and international donor communities.

In its peace building efforts, Ampatuan disclosed that the regional government has demonstrated successful implementation of government peace programs particularly in conflict-affected areas where many of its people have benefited by the programs.

Ampatuan cited some of this programs that include the Mindanao Pro-Development Program II and the ARMM Social Fund Project by the World Bank and JB, Act for Peace by the United Nations, Socio-Economic Reconstruction for Conflict-Affected Areas, Agrarian Reform Community Project by the ADB, Growth with Equity in Mindanao, the United States Provident Loan.

Other programs also include the government support program by CIDA, Basic Education Assistance in Mindanao, the 6th Country Program for Children by UNICEF, World Food Programs and another related donors.

He claimed that for the past three years under his leadership, the regional government of ARMM has focused its program on peace building, good governance and reform, socio-economic programs and implementation of vital infrastructure projects, Ampatuan added. (CLC/PIA)


LMG’s link with JI and ASG seen in recovered documents

ICC General Santos City (19 November)---- Military said lawless Moro Islamic Liberation Front group (LMG) has “link” with Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) and the Abu Sayyaf group (ASG) as shown in the recovered documents from a safehouse that the military overran on Monday (Nov. 17).

Found in safehouse were 10-base icom two-way radios, assorted fatigue uniforms and ammunition, and other pertinent documents.

According to the Philippine Army’s 6th Infantry (Kampilan) Division the safehouse was discovered by 75th Infantry Battalion troopers who were patrolling in Maguindanao area.
6ID Spokesman Col. Julieto Ando said the recovered documents showed LMG’s link with Jemaah Islamiyah and the Abu Sayyaf.

Based from the documents recovered the lawless MILF group might have connection one way or another with Jemaah Islamiyah local recruit team leader Basit Usman and Abu Sayyaf bandits, he told media.

With the seizure of the radios, 601st Brigade Commander Col. Marlou Salazar opined that there will now be difficulty on the part of Commander Ameril Umbra Kato and supporters to communicate with one another.

Kato is currently facing 93 warrants of arrest from different courts in the province of Cotabato.

Cotabato Police Provincial Director SSupt. Lester Camba said the cases included 37-arson, 35-robbery in band, 2-murder and 13 for attempted murder.

He said there are still 38 other cases from the Municipal Circuit Trial Court that await Kato, the most wanted criminal in the country who carries a P10 million bounty on his head.

The cases sprang from Kato’s group recent attack in Pigkawayan, Libungan, Midsayap, Aleosan and Pikit, North Cotabato.

MGen. Raymundo Ferrer, 6th ID commander vowed that military “surgical strike” against Kato’s group and other LMG who are in hiding in Maguindanao will continue with no let up. (PIA SarGen)


NFA-ARMM assures sufficient rice supply for IDPs

ICC, Cotabato, Nov19==In compliance with one of its basic mandates of ensuring food security in staple cereals in times and places of natural or man-made calamities/emergency, the National Food Authority in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (NFA-ARMM) continues to respond to the staple cereal requirements in affected areas.

NFA-ARMM regional director Atty. Emilio Andrion, Jr. said, his office continues to release rice through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Regional Disaster Coordinating Council (RDCC), local government units (LGUs), non-government organizations (NGOs) among others.

So far, Director Andrion said, as of November 10, this year, NFA-ARMM has already released some 20, 276 bags of rice to DSWD and RDCC, 133,095 to LGUs and another 36,835 for others as food assistance to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the autonomous region and Cotabato City.

Although the armed conflict has somehow affected the rice production output of Maguindanao province, the official assures there is sufficient rice stocks for the IDPs,

Rice stocks of Maguindanao come from General Santos City and Cagayan de Oro, while that of the island provinces of Tawi-Tawi, Sulu and Basilan are from Zamboanga City, Andrion said.

The official said, our palay procurement program is very encouraging which would ensure the agency’s buffer stock of rice. (pbc/PIA)