By Florante S. Solmerin
Manila Standard Today
Manila Standard Today
Clan wars may escalate
Members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and bandits from the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters headed by Umbra Kato have clashed several times recently, and a military official said the skirmishes could escalate although the clashes had nothing to do with the framework agreement signed between the MILF and the government the Philippine government signed a week ago.
The gunbattles that started on Friday in Barangay Lower Libutan left both sides with several casualties, said Mayor Benzar Ampatuan of Mamasapano town.“They clashed and both sides suffered casualties,” Ampatuan said.
But Maj. Gen. Rey Ardo, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said the recent clashes had nothing to do with the peace pact since those involved were Moro clans who were fighting against each other over ownership of lands. Muslim clan wars, according to Ardo, is called a “rido.”
“Two or three days ago we’ve received information about encounters of rival clans or families in Mamasapano here in Maguindano killing two or three people from one side. The number of fatalities or casualties could rise because we expect a retaliation from the aggrieved clan or families,” Maj. Gen. Rey Ardo, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said.
Ardo, who was recently promoted as commander of the Western Mindanao Command by President Aquino, added that some groups use the name of the MILFF and BIFF to bolster their claim in the clan wars.
“Ang daming nagbabarilan diyan, halos araw-araw ang barilan… Hindi na bago ‘yan diyan. Actually the other pa [ang labanan], the same group na may standing rido. Practically, kung minsan they are just bringing the name of the MILF and BIFF,” Ardo said.
The clashes have reached the attention of Malacanang, but government chief negotiator Marvic Leonen made an assurance that the military and the police are on top of the situation.
“Reports from the ground indicate that this was a chance and accidental encounter between the two forces. Members of the BIFF are the subject of law enforcement operations by the army and the police. There are no spillovers and this is guaranteed by the current normal deployment of the army,” said Leonen in a statement.
Ardo said the 1st Mechanized Brigade under the command of Col. Edgardo Gonzales was looking into the situation to prevent the escalation of the clan wars into a full-blown conflict.
Ampatuan has also asked the government and the MILF ceasefire committees to step in and put a stop to the wars.
Meanwhile, police Director-General Nicanor Bartolome on Saturday lauded the commitment of the MILF to support government efforts in hunting down lawless elements, including the Abu Sayyaf Group, which continues to sow terror in Mindanao.
Bartolome said the MILF’s commitment was a “magnanimous gesture” in support of the government’s policy in implementing “all out justice” against lawless elements in Mindanao.
“Consistent with our commitment to support all initiatives for peace, the PNP will act decisively against any group that wish to sabotage or derail this peace agreement with the MILF.”
Bartolome said with MILF’s cooperation, the PNP can look forward to more aggressive police operations against “lawless elements” similar to the recent operations launched in Sultan Kudarat and Basilan that led to the capture of two sub-leaders of the Abu Sayyaf Group.
On Tuesday, the police arrested Sali Basal TAIB, alias Gonggong Sali and Abu Husni, near Barangay Wal Primary Schol in Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat.
The suspect is wanted for alleged involvement in the kidnapping of 10 workers of the Golden Harvest Plantation in Lantawan, Basilan in 2001. The government has offered P3.3-million reward for his arrest.
The next day, the police also arrested three other outlaws in Abdula ALAD alias Abdulla Magdal, Salip Abdullah anad Aduwa Salip in Malamawi, Isabela City.
Alad is wanted for his alleged involvement in the kidnapping of American missionaries Martin and Gracia Burnham in Sulu and carried a P2-million reward for his arrest. With Francisco Tuyay
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