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.