ICC Dispatch - Wednesday, December 17, 2008

EU Heads of Mission interact with Maguindanao IDPs

ICC Cotabato City (16 December) - Gearing to implement its longer-term rehabilitation assistance to help civilian victims of the recent armed conflict in Mindanao, a number of European Union (EU) Heads of Mission arrived in Cotabato City for a 2-day visit to evacuation centers in Maguindanao.

Upon arrival on December 15, the EU officials conferred with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and Regional Disaster Coordinating Council (RDCC) of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) for updates and status of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

The EU Mission, led by Ambassador Alistair MacDonald, Head of Delegation of the European Commission to the Philippines had likewise a breakfast meeting with the Bangsamoro Development Authority (BDA) before their departure for a Datu Piang, barangay Dapiawan, Datu Saudi Ampatuan and Mamasapano in Maguindanao Province.

The Mission would likewise witness the food distribution to the IDPs by the World Food Programme (WFP).

Aside from Ambassador MacDonald, other members of EU Mission include H.E Rubens Fedele of Italy, H.E Christian Ludwing Weber Lortsch of Germany, H.E. Peter Beckingham of the United Kingdom, H.E. Heiki Hannikainen of Finland, H.E Luis Arias of Spain, H.E. Valeriu Gheorghe of Ramania, Mr. Didier Ortolland of France and EU Presidency, Anita van Hear-Conijin of the Netherlands, Mr. Florian Brandi of Austria, Mr. Jan Janda of Czech Republic, Nikolaos Verghis of Greece, Isabelle Epaillard-French Scientific Attache, Steven Malmberg-Swedish Political Affairs Minister, David Verboom and Maria Olsen of the European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid Department (ECHO), Camilla Hagstrom, Carol Maningo, Emily Mercado and Thelma Gecolea of the European Commission.

Contingent from the World Food Programme (WFP) include Stephen Anderson, Wurie Alghassim, Pia Facultad, Harold Clavite and MIKE Argonza. (PBC/PIA Cotabato City)


Army overruns MILF camp in Sarangani

MAITUM, Sarangani (16 December 2008) – Army troops from the 28th Infantry Battalion have overrun a camp of lawless Moro Islamic Liberation Front group (LMG) following a chance encounter in thehinterland barangay of Tuanadatu, a military official said today.

"There are undetermined casualties on the enemy side," said Lt. Col. Ferdinand Lazaro Budeng, commander of the 28th Infantry Battalion. "No casualty was reported on the military side."

The captured LMG camp has bunkers, Lt. Col Budeng said in a report.

The skirmish erupted yesterday when operating troops of 28IB under 1Lt. Maduli encountered more or less 40 LMGs at Tuanadatu.

Maitum Mayor Elsie Perrett said that "due to information of LMG movement in and into Maitum, high alert was put into effect. Intensive patrolling was conducted by the AFP, wherein they had a chanceencounter with LMGs."

"Due to the efficient operations of the 28IB under Lt. Col. Budeng, the LMGs were overpowered causing them to retreat," the mayor added.

Barangay Tuanadatu, Maitum's farthest village, lies at the hinterland boundary of Sarangani province with South Cotabato.

The military continues its hot pursuit on the enemy who retreated towards poblacion Tuanadatu, the military report said.

Security forces in MAKIMA area (Maitum-Kiamba-Maasim) have been placed on high alert.

Early this month, Lt. Col. Edgardo de Leon, 73rd Infantry Battalion commander, escorted to Maitum the new armed force in the area under Lt. Col. Budeng whose battalion covers the Maitum-Palimbang (Sultan Kudarat) area while Lt. Col. de Leon handles Kiamba and Maasim. (Sarangani Info Office/PIA12)