We are duty-bound to uphold the constitution--Col. de Leon

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Army Sultan allays fears of Muslims

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Iligan City (27 October). “Your military will always give high priority in ensuring the protection of the Filipino citizens whether they be Christians, Muslims, Lumads, or otherwise,” emphasized Col Benito T de Leon, Commander of 104^th Infantry (Sultan) Brigade, 1^st Infantry Division of the Philippine Army.

Col. de Leon guested today in an interfaith dialogue wearing a Maranao cap given him after he was conferred the honorary title of “Sultan a Romapunut” (Leader of Peace) in Lumbayanague, Lanao del Sur during the MILF hostilities of 2000. The forum was sponsored by Pakigdait Inc, a civil society organization, attended by Traditional and Religious leaders and held at Iligan City. Rev. Fr. Regino R. Quijano is the Chairperson for Pakigdait while Mr. Musa M. Sanguila is the Chairperson of Civil Society Organization of Lanao del Norte Partnership for Peace and Development: both were also present.

The military officer’s statement was in reply to the questions to clarify issues concerning the safety of the people particularly of Muslims communities with the on-going operations to track Macapaar aka Bravo. Bravo was held responsible for the August 18 atrocities in Kolambugan and Kauswagan towns of Lanao del Norte.

Aside from presenting a generally peaceful situation, de Leon further explained that his brigade is at the same time assisting local government agencies, non-government organizations, civil society organizations, and religious organizations which had come to help hasten the return of peaceful conditions in Lanao del Norte. He lauded the efforts of Pakigdait for spearheading the coordination in the return of 63 displaced families to their homes in Paiton, Kauswagan.

“Even as we pursue the lawless groups, we shall strictly abide by the instructions of minimizing collateral damage and in upholding the rights of the people as guaranteed in our Constitution,” de Leon said.

Wanted outlaw captured in Lanao

Munai, Lanao del Norte (27 October). 104^th Infantry (Sultan) Brigade turned over to police authorities today a certain Tony Angne aka Mercury who was caught during an engagement in yesterday’s gun battle with government forces.

Col Benito de Leon the Commander of 104^th Infantry Brigade reported that elements of the 10^th Infantry Battalion under LtCol John Jurado running after the lawless group of Macapaar aka Bravo engaged a group of five at midmorning of 26 October at Barangay Riray, Madalum, Lanao del Sur. After a short firefight, the armed group run away leaving behind the wounded Angne to be captured by the troops, he said. Recovered from Angne a caliber 380 pistol with ammunitions.

The army commander also said that Angne was given first aid by the soldiers before he was evacuated to the rear for endorsement to authorities. On learning that Angne had a standing arrest warrant, De Leon directed that Angne be turned over to the Lanao del Norte Provincial Police in Tubod. Angne was identified to have led the kidnapping of about 40 civilians at Kolambugan sometime in June.

Army Brigade Celebrates Anniversary in Lanao

Munai, Lanao del Norte (26 October). Troops of the 104^th Infantry (Sultan) Brigade celebrated their 8^th Founding Anniversary today in a simple ceremony at their Advance Command Post in Munai, an inland municipality of Lanao del Norte.

During the ceremony, Colonel Benito de Leon, its present commander, paid tribute to his six predecessors who had led the brigade to great achievements. The first commander of 104^th Infantry Brigade was Col. Romeo Tolentino who became the Commanding General of the Philippine Army. The brigade was eventually assumed by Col Alexander Aleo, and subsequently by Col. Alexander Yapching. Then Col. Nehemias Pajarito, now a major general, was its fourth commander and is presently the Commander of 1^st Infantry Division. He was followed by Col. Reynaldo Sealana and then by Col. Antonio Supnet. In citing past accomplishments, De Leon urged his troops to reflect and draw inspiration from it to pursue their present tasks with vigor. “Even as we have succeeded in securing the threatened communities here, we still have to bring Bravo and his group to justice and calm the apprehensions of the people,” De Leon reminded his troops.

Major General Pajarito, the guest of honor and speaker, also prodded the brigade to up their warrior spirit in decimating the group of Bravo that caused the recent havoc in Lanao del Norte. He referred to Bravo’s group as bandits in the same kind as that of the Abu Sayaff. The troops of 104^th Brigade should keep in mind the reason for which it was created and had performed so well in the past, he added.

In the same occasion, Hon. Casan Maquiling of Lanao del Norte Provincial Council delivered the message of Governor Mohammad Khalid Dimaporo congratulating and wishing the brigade for its continued good performance in its role of protecting the lives of people. General Alexander Yano the Chief of Staff, AFP also personally sent via text his message of congratulations and admiration to the 104^th Brigade.

As the brigade commemorates its 8^th Anniversary, skirmishes were being reported from its frontline units running after the lawless band of Bravo between the boundaries of the two Lanao Provinces.

The 4^th Brigade of the 1^st Infantry (Tabak) Division, Philippine Army was activated on 26 October 2000 to neutralize the Abu Sayaff Group, bandits operating in Sulu and Tawi Tawi Provinces. On 29 January 2008, the brigade was redeployed and given Lanao del Norte as its area of responsibility. In the aftermath of the 18 August atrocity caused by the group of Abdullah Macapaar aka Bravo, the brigade was among the units tasked to neutralize this lawless group. It recently established its advance command post in Barangay Cadulawan of Munai which is considered the gateway to the Camp Bilal Complex of Bravo.

The Role of Media in the Attainment of Lasting Peace in Mindanao

Col Benito T de Leon, Commander of 104th Infantry Brigade in Lanao del Norte, guested as speaker in the Civil Society Organization-Media Fellowship Night on 24 October 2008 at Maria Cristina Hotel, Iligan City.

The forum endeavored to solicit and exchange views among civil society and the media participants, mostly from Northern Mindanao, in understanding “The Role of Media in the Attainment of Lasting Peace in Mindanao.”

Other key speakers were: Jun Torres Jr, the President of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) and the Managing Editor of GMANews TV; Atty Ver Quimco, President of Call for Justice, a human rights civil society organization, and a commentator for the Love Radio; Jane Bernardo and Jun Enriquez, President and Vice-President , respectively, of the Civil Society Organization Forum for Peace (CSO-FP).
Message of Col de Leon

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Lanao Executives, Military and US Forces Excited Over Projects

Tubod, Lanao del Norte (17 October). In a bid to explore and take advantage of available support to assist in the developmental projects in Lanao del Norte, local military authorities along with their American counterparts sought audience with Provincial Governor Mohammad Khalid Dimaporo who was just as excited to engage.

The commander of 104^th Infantry Brigade, Colonel Benito de Leon, based in the province introduced United States Army Captain Christian Knutzen and his team who were there to determine appropriate projects that the US Government will support to benefit the populace. Captain Knutzen heads the American team, the Liaison Coordination Element 1233 based in Marawi City, under the Special Operations Task Force 12 of the US Army. This team’s mission is to assist in civil-military projects of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in addition to training exchanges with the local security forces in the area.

In a hastily convened meeting attended by the municipal mayors and jointly presided by the governor and 2^nd District Congressman Abdullah Dimaporo of the province, De Leon justified the presence of the Americans as part of the Visiting Forces Agreement and in pursuit of their national interest of extending humanitarian aid to promote security. Knutzen, on the other hand, explains that they work through the local military in undertaking projects which may include roads, school buildings, and conducting medical and dental activities. The American officer also informs that Poona Piagapo, one of the troubled municipalities of the province, was earlier nominated to his headquarters for an allocation package to improve its roads. This and the upcoming projects intended to benefit the majority should help bring peace and development in the area, he hopes.

Considering the eager and various representations for projects from the mayors, Governor Dimaporo advised that proposals should be those that contribute to stability in the area. Congressman Dimaporo likewise promised to seek the inclusion of other projects in the Calendar Year 2009 Budget presently being deliberated in Congress.

Psychological Security Challenge in Lanao del Norte

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AFP Commemorates its 18th Code of Ethics Day

(Iligan, 13 October) The usual morning colors of the troops at 104^th Infantry Brigade Headquarters in Lanao del Norte, this Monday, was additionally marked with the renewal of the oath of adherence to the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Code of Ethics and the reading of the message of General Alexander Yano, the AFP Chief of Staff.

Similar scenes could be observed in military bases nationwide as the AFP commemorates its 18^th Code of Ethics Day.

Colonel Benito de Leon, the Commander of 104^th Infantry Brigade, reminisced in his message how he along with about a hundred delegates from the army, navy, air force, and constabulary services of the AFP gathered in 1990 to formulate the code. He explains that it was important to establish and define the values and beliefs of a military professional: the varied interpretations of it across the services were identified as a cause of the series of past mutinies.

De Leon further recalls that the formulation process was facilitated by the Organization Development Associates Internationale headed by Dr. Antonio Roldan Jr. where delegates of different ranks and in civilian attire identified, debated, defined, and agreed on the provisions for inclusion in the proposed code. The draft was circulated for comments, and was eventually ratified by the AFP members and adopted in 1991 identifying the core values as “honor, loyalty, valor, duty, and solidarity.”

“Each of us should seriously imbibe the true meaning of the creed we have to live by so as to deserve being a professional member of the AFP,” exhorts De Leon in his message to his troops.

Meanwhile, General Yano underscored the importance of the day in his message, “With the prevailing situation unfolding, I am certain that today’s celebration of the AFP Code of Ethics Day will allow us to understand more the enormous challenge of defining and explaining our moral convictions and responsibility to public trust.”

NGO, CSO & Army Meet to Address IDPs

Iligan City (12 October) Non-Government and Civil Society Organizations with military authorities met Saturday to discuss the plight of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the Lanao Provinces.

The consultation and dialogue initiated by the Institute of Peace and Development for Mindanao of MSU-IIT focused on “How Best to Address the Welfare of Maranaw IDPs and Other Issues and Concerns Related to the Recent Resumption of Conflicts in Lanao.” This was held in Elena Tower Inn and facilitated by Professors Malou Nanaman and Saturnina “Bebot” Rodil. The meeting was one of the series to bridge actions among sectors and institutions in contributing to stability to various communities.

The engaging dialogue raised various issues and concerns of the effects of the on-going hostilities on affected communities. The general clamor during the forum was to put an end to the hostilities. It, likewise, revealed that NGOs and CSOs found it challenging to assist the displaced individuals not only due to the prevailing security situation but also due to the inaccessibility of local executives. Another dilemma was in locating and supporting the IDPs evacuating particularly in Lanao del Sur who chose staying with their relatives than at evacuation sites. Some sectors also claimed that the lack of support for IDPs in Lanao del Sur is attributed to the non-declaration of the province as a calamity area. Moreover, the discussions also exposed an emerging concern, posing another challenge to local administrators, on the developing preference among IDPs to stay in evacuation sites owing to free food and better shelter.

For the part of the military, Colonel Benito de Leon, the Commander of 104^th Infantry Brigade based in Lanao del Norte, informed the participants that his forces while still are running after the rogue band of Bravo are also currently assisting local executives and other sectors in facilitating the return of those displaced by the hostilities in Lanao del Norte. He assured the participants that the military will always ensure the safety and well-being of civilians even as they pursue the lawless groups. He urged the NGOs and CSOs to coordinate or discuss with the military their concerns, especially on security, so as to identify areas where they could cooperate on. He emphasized that one of the military’s priorities is to also assist in establishing the return of normal conditions in the area at the soonest possible time.

Hostilities in the Lanao Provinces erupted following the rampage of the Lawless MILF Group led by Abdullah Makapaar aka Bravo in the coastal towns of Lanao del Norte last 18 August. The military was tasked to assist in the law enforcement operations against Bravo’s group. The ensuing skirmishes between the armed groups resulted in a number of IDPs. Various NGOs and CSOs came in to attend to those displaced by the conflict in addition to the similar efforts by the concerned government agencies.

Delivering a Commitment

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Project ISLAM Gets Warm Welcome in Southern Philippines

ILIGAN CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Oct. 9, 2008) – Christians and Muslims gathered at a village in Lanao del Norte’s Kauswagan town to welcome the members of the Christian Ministerial Fellowship who visited them as part of a humanitarian outreach mission in Mindanao.

Provincial government and military officials joined the fellowship visit headed by Pastor Peter Robert Matalinis in the village of Delabayan to nurture and promote one of the successful peace building initiatives in the aftermath of the war in 2000 between soldiers and rebels.

The Philippine Army’s 104th Infantry Brigade under Col. Benito de Leon has largely assisted in the successful mission dubbed as “Project ISLAM” which stands for “I Sincerely Love All Muslims.

The project was started by Lt. Col. Johnny Macanas, then with the Army’s 4th Infantry Division to help the Muslim village recover from the devastation war. The village was one of those worst affected by the fighting during the administration of President Joseph Estrada.

“One of our thrust in 104th Infantry Brigade is to explore and promote all avenues of peaceful undertakings that may hasten unity and harmony in conflict areas,” said Captain Alonto Maamo, Civil-Military Operations officer of the 104th Infantry Brigade.

He said the projects included housing, madrasa, mosques, school building, and potable water system for residents of Delabayan.

Educational scholarships were also awarded to the locals in support to the army’s literacy program. “Significantly, this project has paved the way for both Christians and Muslims to undertake symbiotic activities that benefited each other.”

“The military along with the Christian Ministerial Fellowship plans to replicate the project in other areas to help put in place the conditions for lasting peace among Christian and Muslim communities,’ Maamo said.

Just recently, President Gloria Arroyo also ordered the distribution of sleeping bags to soldiers to protect them from colds and harsh weather condition in Lanao del Norte. Also the military handed over new machine guns for soldiers as part of its upgrading program.

“We thank the President and our military leaders for their continued support to the troops,” said Col. De Leon. (With a report from Merlyn Manos)

Bravo’s group stripped

(Munai, Lanao del Norte, 9 October). In a report reaching the Advance Command Post (ACP) of the 104^th Infantry Brigade, elements of 32^nd Infantry Battalion recently engaged a band of the Lawless MILF Group (LMG) under Lumundaya Mabuntal aka Topsider in the early morning of 8 October at Barangay Maliwanag, Poona Piagapo of Lanao del Norte.

While no casualties were reported on the government side, blood stains were found in the encounter site. Recovered on the scene were freshly laundered MILF uniforms marked with Topsider and “DoubleBody”, the alias and radio call sign of Mabuntal, respectively. Also, recovered in the site were explosive components, and voluminous documents.

Mabuntal or Topsider, the most trusted henchman of Abdullah Macapaar aka Bravo, is responsible for the series of bombing of TRANSCO power line towers in the area. On the other hand, Bravo is being sought by authorities for masterminding the recent pillage and atrocities at the coastal towns of Lanao del Norte last 18 August.

In a separate tracking operations of the 10^th Infantry Battalion under the 104^th Infantry Brigade, home-made shotguns and various communications equipment at Barangay were also recovered in abandoned shelter sites of the lawless groups found in Barangay Tamparan of Munai in the same province.

“It is difficult to get immediate reports from my operating units considering their remote distance,” explains Colonel Benito T de Leon the Commander of 104^th Infantry Brigade, 1^st Infantry Division, Philippine Army. “That’s the reason why I had moved my ACP here at at Barangay Cadulawan, Munai, Lanao del Norte as it is closer to them,” he added. Cadulawan is considered as the gateway to Camp Bilal Complex which is the area once controlled by Bravo’s group. De Leon’s units have occupied the former campsites of Bravo within the complex and are now used as patrol bases.

The army commander assessed that the series of engagements and continuous law enforcement activities of the military had steadily stripped the LMG of their bases, their armaments, and their logistics drastically reducing their atrocious capability.

Army pursues sectoral linkages

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Peace is everybody's business, says ARMY BRASS

Iligan City (6 October) -- "We have to put all our acts together if only to secure peace."

This was the closing statement of Col. Benito T. De Leon, Commander of the 104th Infantry (Sultan) Brigade, 1st Infantry (Tabak) Division, Philippine Army, in his message yesterday during the Iligan City Business Forum.

The forum, held at the Maria Cristina Hotel, was jointly hosted by the Department of Trade and Industry of Region 10 and the Iligan Investment Promotion Center.

The activity, which carries the theme "Maintaining Peace and Good business Climate in Iligan City" provided enough elbow room for the business sector to present their views and concerns and the opportunity to inter-act with military Officials regarding the prevailing peace and order situation in Iligan City and the Lanao Provinces.

Col. De Leon in support to Iligan City Mayor, Lawrence Ll. Cruz, exhorted the forum participatns that the "business of peace is everybody's business".

He praised Mayor Cruz and the people of Iligan, who bravely pursue the conduct of all the scheduled activities and thereby successfully celebrated the Diyandi Festival amid security apprehensions.

De Leon said that the non-cancellation of the month-long festival activities is a clear indication of the people's confidence with their security forces. The successful conduct of the Diyandi Festival projected a favorable and peaceful climate of a "business as usual" image for Iligan city.

De Leon clarified that the military is only one dimension in the pursuit of peace. And that there are yet other factors such as economic or business, political, societal, among others.

"All of us should check whether our thoughts or actions are contributing towards peace or sowing discord." De Leon told participants of the Forum.

He then cited the peace building initiatives of the Full Gospel Business Men's Fellowship of Iligan and Lanao del Norte Chapter who are working for the replication of Project Islam. Its project, as he explains, seeks to develop harmony between Christian and Muslim communities which Barangay Delabayan in Kauswagan is a model.

He also acknowledged the simple peace efforts of the Mindanao Commission on Women which aspires for a Million TAPS (Thoughts and Acts of Peace).

De Leon called upon the business sector to see how they can also contribute their share towards the attainment of peace.

He challenged the business sector with a question "How much of your bottom-line are you willing to give for peace?" and "Are you going to rake profits to create a significant divide and indifference between the haves and have nots?"

De Leon assured the business group that the military will always put serious consideration in addressing their security concerns, "not only peace in our time for our sake, but for the future generations," he appealed. (PIA)