Cotabato officials oppose MILF camps

Koronadal City — South Cotabato officials are up in arms against the alleged efforts of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to establish satellite camps in some remote barangays of the province.

The Moro extremist group has reportedly been deploying its members for several months now to the three remote barangays along the Roxas mountain Range in Tupi town and Koronadal City. The MILF was allegedly deployed to build bases there.

Reports from the Army’s 27th Infantry Battalion said that the MILF rebels have built some housing structures and bunkers in Barangay Tubeng in Tupi and in Sitio Takilay, Barangay Saravia in Koronadal City.

"It’s a clear violation of the agreements and we are strongly protesting it. We will not allow them to set up satellite camps anywhere in the province," South Cotabato Rep. Dr. Arthur "Dodo" Pingoy Jr. told The STAR yesterday.

Pingoy’s statement was supported by Gov. Daisy Avance-Fuentes, who urged President Arroyo to call the attention of the GRP-MILF peace panels "to look into the matter seriously."

MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu acknowledged that they have some members based in the area but vehemently denied their involvement in any abuses or illegal activities. — Ramil Bajo