Moro rebels intensify collection of illegal toll fees on Lanaohighway

COTABATO CITY - The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has intensified its collection of illegal toll fees from motorists passing through critical stretches of the 145-kilometer Secretary Narciso Ramos Highway linking the provinces of Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur, the military confirmed yesterday.

Maj. Julieto Ando, civil-relations chief of the Army's 6th Infantry Division, said several sectors have asked the 6th ID to dismantle all MILF checkpoints along the Kapatagan-Matanog stretch of the highway, which straddles rebel-occupied territories.

Quoting Muslims residing in these areas, Ando said the problem surfaced anew after the MILF suffered heavy losses in recent encounters with government forces in Maguindanao and Lanao del Norte.

Army lawyers, he said, are now documenting the complaints of residents to determine how to address the issue.

Under Article 1 of the government-MILF agreement on general cessation of hostilities, Ando said the MILF "is not supposed to initiate hostile acts in any area covered by the ceasefire."

Key officials of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) earlier had confirmed that heavily armed men posted along the highway had also forced them to pay toll fees.

A local tabloid had reported that among those victimized by the armed men were ARMM Local Government Secretary Jialil Narra, and the region's Speaker, Datu Kabelan Sema.

Brig. Gen. Librado Ladia, commander of Marine Forces South, said their field units in barangays straddled by the highway would enlist the help of local leaders to peacefully address the problem.

"We are optimistic that the leaders in the area and their constituents can work with us in resolving the problem peacefully," Ladia said.

In a press statement, the 6th ID, which has operational control of all Marine units deployed along the Secretary Narciso Ramos Highway, said the MILF collects a minimum P300 daily "toll fee" from each air-conditioned passenger vehicle plying the road, built in the early 90's by the administration of former ARMM Gov. Lininding Pangandaman.

A check at public terminals here showed that more than 60 passenger vehicles pass through the highway everyday.

Muhaquer Icbal, MILF information officer, has denied the involvement of their men in the collection of illegal toll fees from motorists.