Military threatens to dismantle new MILF enclaves

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguin—danao — The Army’s 6th Infantry Division has threatened to dismantle newly established camps of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Tupi, South Cotabato.

The 6th ID, however, still has to wait for any concrete action against what the military considers a ceasefire violation from the joint government-MILF coordinating committee on the cessation of hostilities, which peacefully resolves peace and order problems in areas covered by a low-level peace pact.

Col. Franklin del Prado, the 6th ID’s spokesman, said South Cotabato officials asked the Armed Forces last week to convince the MILF guerillas to voluntarily abandon their newly established positions in Barangay Polonuling in a secluded district of Tupi town.

He said villagers have confirmed that combined members of the MILF’s 104th and 107th Command Bases recently joined forces and built a satellite camp in Sitio Bunawan in Barangay Polonuling.

According to Tupi leaders, the rebels, led by Abdulatip Sumapal, Diego del Moro, Gido Adi Samama and a certain Commander Big Boy, erected shelters and two big tents in a strategic spot in Sitio Bunawan weeks ago and have since been roaming around the area brandishing assault rifles.

Sources in the police and military intelligence communities have confirmed that the MILF group has also been recruiting locals to join the MILF.

Del Prado said the 6th ID has filed a protest against the setting up of an MILF enclave in Tupi.

He said residents of Barangay Polonuling have also complained about the rebels’ excessive taxation.

Del Prado said the rebels, in a seemingly organized manner, roam around villages, intimidating residents with their display of firepower to easily mulct money and food from them.

Maj. Gen. Agustin Dema-ala, the 6th ID’s commander, has ordered the 27th Infantry Battalion in Tupi to enlist the help of the municipal peace and order council to persuade the rebels to vacate their newly built enclaves.

In a statement, Dema-ala said the 6th ID would initiate a "law-enforcement action" to forcibly drive away MILF forces in Barangay Polonuling if they would not vacate the area in 10 days.

South Cotabato Gov. Daisy Avance-Fuentes asked President Arroyo last week to act on the problem.