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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