Interfaith Prayer: starting the Mindanao Week of Peace

An interfaith prayer for peace was held on 27 November 2008 at St. Mary Gym, Tibanga, Iligan City co-hosted by the Bishop Ulama Conference (BUC), and the Ranao Muslim-Christian Movement for Dialogue and Peace (RMCMDP), both for the Lanao Provinces, with the theme 'Integrity of Heart and Mind: Way to Reconciliation and Peace'. The activity was attended by Muslim and Christian students, religious and traditional leaders from the area. This symbolized the start of the celebration of the "Mindanao Week of Peace" called for by Presidential Proclamation No. 127 signed on 26 Novemeber 2001. 

  

Franciscan Priest Fr Marselo Fada, 

Parish Priest of San Lorenzo Church, 

Bgy Hinaplanon, Iligan City

(L-R) Atty Saidale Gandamra, Army Col Benito de Leon of 104th Infantry Brigade, 

Fr Daniel Somani of Iligan Diocese, Fr Chito Suganob of Marawi, 

Bishop Elenito Galido of Iligan, Bishop Edwin dela Pena of Marawi, 

and Alim Elias Macarandas, a BUC member 

& President of Muslim Welfare Society. 

·  L

Peace talks to re-start only if . . .

PIA Website (OSM-Radyo ng Bayan)

Lanao Norte now generally peaceful

PIA Website (OSM-Radyo ng Bayan)

Army explains checkpoints

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Iligan City-- Army checkpoints to increase security measures were up early this week along the road connecting the cities of Iligan and Marawi, in front of the 104^th Infantry Brigade camp at  Barangay Maria Cristina of the city, attracting varied reactions from the people in the area.

A commuter complained claiming that there was discrimination as the checkpoint stopped and inspected their vehicle upon seeing the occupants to be Maranaos. It was argued that there was a seeming bias against the group that can provoke resentment and was further considered to violate Human Rights.  On the other hand, many local folks particularly from Iligan City welcomed the checkpoints as it was viewed to provide them more security.

Col Benito de Leon, Commander of the 104^th Infantry Brigade declared that he ordered the checkpoint along the Iligan-Marawi route to control the passage of lawless armed groups that were reportedly just freely passing through the road. He said that no prejudice was directed towards a certain group as he disclosed even requiring at one point for all vehicles be checked including those of the military, police, or other government agencies. This measure, he said would curb those who plan to impersonate persons in authority, and allow the military to monitor the passage of security forces. Certain individuals were also reported carrying firearms without authority and even on board government vehicles or ambulances, hence the checkpoints, he adds.

The officer went on radio to explain the rationale of checkpoints which is intended to complement police enforcement activities and contribute to peace and order. Accordingly, this mechanism is consistent with the AFP’s Rules of Engagement and does not violate Human Rights. Personnel involved were trained also with the inputs of US subject matter experts  to ensure its professional conduct.  As he apologized to the riding public for the inconvenience of the checkpoints, he also asked them to extend cooperation to facilitate the job of the soldiers. He advised vehicle drivers on approaching a checkpoint the following: slow down and prepare to stop if signaled; dim their lights; open their windows; and turn on their cabin lights.

“Rest assured that we will establish any security arrangement allowed by our laws and regulations, including the conduct of checkpoints, if only to protect the people we are duty-bound to serve,” emphasized Col de Leon.

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Sexual abuses forbidden even in war—military

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Iligan City (25 November). “Sexual violence is outlawed in the Armed Forces of the Philippines even in times of war or armed conflict.”

This was the message of Col Benito de Leon, Commander of 104^th Infantry Brigade, speaking during the “Observance of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women” held in the city by the Gender Equality Network for Peace (GEN4PEACE) in cooperation with the Civil Society Organization (CSO) Forum for Peace and the British Embassy. The activity was organized in consonance with UN Security Council Resolution No. 1820 covering the issues on rape and sexual violence in conflict situations. Adopting the theme “Women, Peace, and Security: Issues of Rape and other Forms of Sexual Abuse in Times of War,” the consultation was attended by the delegates from the 13 NGO-member groups of the CSO Forum with its President Jane Bernardo, and participated in by the military and police. Ms Anita Sescon, the Commissioner of the Mindanao Commission on Women Forum provided the inputs for the UN Resolution. On the other hand, Atty Florante Ursua of the Commission on Human Rights spoke on the responsibility of the government to prevent human rights violations.

In responding to concerns that women have been portrayed as a booty of war and that the incidence of sexual molestations were high during times of armed conflicts, Col de Leon explained that the notion of war booties were things of the past long gone by. As societies became more civil, laws and norms were adopted to forbid this practice, he adds. Further, he says, the military aside from the existing criminal laws enforces the punitive Articles of War governing the conduct of military personnel. Furthermore, the officer clarified that other measures are in place to ensure that members of the military observe the prohibitions as provided in our legal system including the adoption of the AFP Code of Ethics outlining the professional conduct, the inclusion of all these as discussion points in military education courses, and the regular conduct of troop information. Accordingly, commanders at all levels have to see that these are all observed and enforced.

“All abuses or violations of the law, including rape or violence on women, committed by any military personnel at any given time especially during times of conflict will not be tolerated by the AFP,” the army commander underscored.

Lanao officials meet to end bloody feuds

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Tubod, Lanao del Norte (22 November). In an effort to end bloody reprisals locally in Lanao as “rido,” local political leaders, military, and police officials on Fridays converged in the remote Magsaysay town of Lanao del Norte, the site of the recent atrocity, to dialogue with the local folks.

The practice of rido particularly in the town was attributed to disputes arising from business rivalry or being shortchanged in their deals. This individual grudges later worsened as blood debts that had widened into clan wars. Just last week, Municipal Councilman Generoso Jamora was slain in what was believed to be part of a string of reprisals among the populace. The nearby town of Salvador had also been the site of another feud that resulted in the ambush of a group of Maranaos.

Father and son, Congressman Abdullah Dimaporo of the 2^nd District and Governor Mohammad Khalid Dimaporo of the province were joined by 104^th Infantry Brigade Commander Col Benito de Leon and Police Region 10 Chief Supt Teoderico Capuyan to discuss arrangements to prevent further violence in the area.  The group later met with the people of the town to appeal to end the bloody feuds that had claimed lives and threatened to escalate into a bigger conflict.  

Congressman Dimaporo who was celebrating his birthday gave way to attend to this concern which he feared may escalate to create a divide between the Christians and the Muslims or the Maranaos and the other ethnic groups.  He directed the police authorities to speed up investigation in order to identify the suspects to be charged in court so as to prevent people to take the law in their own hands. He appealed for unity to attain true peace and order citing. He even cited that though he is a Muslim he got married to a Christian from the Quibranza family: his father hoped that such union will achieve peace in the land. He had to endure ridicule in many occasions if only to support the aspirations for peace.

Also, Governor Dimaporo echoed the sentiments of the his father and called for unity among the people so that they can better attain security and further take on development activities. He says that his priority concern is in bringing the rogue element of Macapaar aka Bravo who sowed violence in the province.

Meanwhile, Supt Capuyan assured the locals that he had stationed more police forces in the area to curb further violence. He also asked the people to cooperate with and trust the police so that justice can be served faster. Col de Leon, also, said that he had placed an Army unit, referring to 32^nd Infantry Battalion, to attend to the security in the area and assist the police in law enforcement activities. This would include running after the lawless armed groups that may seek to undertake the extra-judicial option of “rido.”

The army commander stressed that the cycle of violence of “rido” will be unending if everyone does not do anything to stop it.  He says that the mistakes we do now will be paid by future generations. “We owe it to the future generations to make right the foundations we prepare for them,” emphasized de Leon.

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Army foils a rido in Lanao

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Iligan City (18 November). An army patrol in search of the MILF groups responsible for the havoc in Lanao del Norte encountered an armed group believed to be preparing to launch a reprisal attack at Salvador town of Lanao del Norte.

Col Benito de Leon, the 104^th Infantry Brigade Commander, reported that at 1:30 p.m. today, troops belonging to the 35^th Infantry Battalion dispatched to check the presence of armed elements at Sitio Bayabao of Salvador town got engaged in a skirmish with a group of about 20. While no casualties were accounted in the firefight, this resulted in the capture of eight individuals suspected to be associated with the MILF, the recovery of a shotgun, caliber 30 ammunitions, handheld radios, military packs, and uniforms.

The army commander disclosed that initial investigations showed the group to be linked with a prominent MILF leader who intended to do a “rido” (armed settlement of family feuds) in exacting revenge with another prominent political personality in the area.

Lanao had been known for the practice of ridos. Just last week, series of such incidents occurred in the nearby municipality of Magsaysay. This prompted the Army to deploy forces in the area to deter the recurrence of violence. Dialogues with the populace where also undertaken by the military and the local government executives in an attempt to stop rido.

Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro during his visit over the weekend also issued instructions to the military to similarly treat as criminals those who undertake the practice of rido. Teodoro reminded the public that the courts are the only acceptable and lawful institutions for the settlement of disputes to ensure peace and order in a civilized society.

Gov Dimaporo okeys ACC

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Tubod, Lanao del Norte (19 November). An Area Coordinating Center (ACC) for the Province of Lanao del Norte was ordered to be established by Governor Mohammad Khalid Dimaporo today.

The ACC is a mechanism borne out of Executive Order No. 21 creating a coordinative and integrated system on internal security. It serves as a point of contact of the Peace and Order Council, Disaster Coordinating Council, Development Council, Non-Government Organizations, People’s Organizations, and other entities at the sub-national and local levels. The operational concerns include developmental operations, counterinsurgency, anti-organized crime, maintenance of peace and order, disaster relief and rehabilitation, environmental enhancement and protection, and other special events that need concerted efforts or actions of cognizant government agencies and NGOs.

Col Benito de Leon, the 104^th Infantry Brigade Commander, after the presentation of the mechanics of the ACC recommended its establishment, and clarified that the center can be created directly under the authority of the Local Chief Executive which in the case for the province would be the governor. He says that the role of the military will be in support to its day-to-day operations of the center. Dimaporo admitted having wanted to have such arrangement in place even long before the MILF-initiated atrocities on the towns of Kauswagan and Kolambugan last 18 August.

The army commander earlier urged the need for strengthening the integrated territorial defense system in the area to better secure the communities. De Leon stressed that the establishment of the ACC for Lanao del Norte will greatly help the local executive attend to the various governance concerns in the province including security.

Lanao rehabilitation pushed

Iligan City (16 November). Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro directed the military today to hasten the return to normalcy of the communities affected by the August 18 atrocities caused by the lawless MILF group of Macapaar alias Bravo.

Secretary Teodoro who was on a surprise visit of the evacuation centers at the Municipalities of Munai and Poona Piagapo in Lanao del Norte was accompanied by the Army commanders in the area to check on the conditions of the internally displaced persons (IDPs) on instructions of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. As the trip was unannounced moreso on a Sunday, local leaders were noticeably not around. Teodoro took time to find out the concerns of the IDPs which ranged from lack of medicines, dismal road conditions, inadequate schools, lack of water systems, and security assurances during military operations. He promised to elevate these for action by the concerned agencies. In responding to the concerns on the reported retaliation of “ilagas” (a local militia), the defense secretary was widely cheered by local Musim folks when he declared he would similarly run after groups that threaten their safety whether they be Christians or Muslims in the same manner the military is now hunting down Bravo. Rido (armed settlement of feuds) will not be tolerated, he adds.

Maj Gen Nehemias Pajarito, the 1^st Division Commander, subsequently instructed Col Benito de Leon, the 104^th Infantry Brigade Commander charged of Lanao del Norte, to help the IDPs to resettle in their respective residences, and to provide the necessary security arrangements. Pajarito also urged the local people to report the presence of lawless groups so the military and police can take action. He stresses that this is important to ensure their safety and the restoration of peace in their communities. The division commander also ordered his subordinates to extend security and assistance to agencies particularly those involved in developmental projects.

Meanwhile, De Leon reported that the communities in the province is now secured from the lawless MILF groups noting the absence of any atrocity for quite sometime as well as the successful conduct of special events and the smooth trips of visiting dignitaries. Last week despite threat reports, he says, President Arroyo even flew direct from her overseas trip to effectively inspect a road project in Nunungan, a hinterland municipality of the province. All these indicate that development projects to rehabilitate Lanao del Norte can now take a full swing, he concludes.

Army seeks support of Lanao religious leaders

Iligan City (7 November). In a bid to secure support to dissipate the tensions of warring groups, an army commander met with religious leaders of Lanao del Norte for consultation on the prevailing security issues being instigated by some sectors to have cultural and religious undertones.

Col Benito de Leon, the Commander of 104^th Infantry (Sultan) Brigade, 1^st Infantry (Tabak) Division, Philippine Army, stationed in the province paid a courtesy call today on Catholic Bishop Elenito Galido of the Diocese of Iligan covering Lanao del Norte. Earlier this week, the officer had a similar meeting with Muslim Aleem Elias Macarandas at the Bishop Ulama Office in the city.

Both Bishop Galido and Aleem Macarandas, who are members of the Bishop Ulama Conference, welcomed the consultations of the Army officer as they were disturbed with the recent atrocities seemingly between Muslims and Christians particularly in the town of Magsaysay. Last 26 October, a group of Maranaos were reportedly ambushed in the town resulting to a number of casualties, and local militia (Ilagas) were being blamed for this violence. It was also alleged that this was the latest of a series of reprisals involving several groups in the area.

De Leon said that he had deployed forces in the area to prevent further bloodshed. The 35^th Infantry Battalion under Lt Col Jose Faustino had also initiated dialogues with the local folks in Magsaysay in an attempt to reach out to the conflicting parties and resolve their issues peacefully, he said.

Both religious leaders manifested continuing commitment to activities that promote peace and harmony among the Christians and Muslims. The army commander also assured them that the military will give due protection to all citizens no matter their cultural or religious affiliations may be.