2 MILF leaders tagged in attack surrender

KORONADAL CITY – Two Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) commanders linked to the burning of a barangay hall and day care center in Sarangani province surrendered to the military yesterday.

Col. Ricardo Rainier Cruz, commander of the Army’s 1002nd Infantry Brigade based in Malungon town, Sarangani, said Rico Watamama, deputy commander of the MILF’s 107th Base Command, and his right-hand man, Nasser Bansil, were wounded in the arms and legs.

He said the two brought with them Garand rifles and ammunition when they gave themselves up to Kiamba Mayor Rommel Falgui, who was accompanied by the 25th IB operating troops led by Majors Rolando Rodil and Patricio Tomales, in a remote part of Barangay Datu Dani in Kiamba town.

Army medical team immediately treated the wounds of the two rebels after they surrendered, he said.

Cruz told The STAR the two were later brought to an undisclosed hospital in nearby General Santos City.

“They were part of those MILF rebels who were wounded during the recent encounter with government troops in Barangay Datu Dani in Kiamba late Tuesday,” he said.

Maj. Gen. Joggy Leo Fojas, commander of the Army’s 10th Infantry Division, said Watamama’s surrender has significantly reduced the security threats in Sarangani.

“It also reduced prolonged hostilities that could result in more deaths,” he said.

Meanwhile, Philippine National Police chief Director General Jesus Verzosa met in Davao City with Maj. Gen. Armando Cunanan, chief of the Armed Forces Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom), to map out peace in Mindanao.

Verzosa said the PNP would continuously explore the road to peace while preparing to go to war to protect the citizens.

“We will always explore the road to peace but we will not run away from our duties and responsibilities as part of our mandate as enforcers of the law and protectors of the people against the enemies of the state,” he said.

“While marching toward peace, we should be prepared to go to war,” he said.

Verzosa distributed more than 100 brand-new M-16 rifles to newly graduated police commandos.

Special Action Force director Chief Superintendent Leocadio Santiago said Verzosa also handed to the police commandos an automatic grenade launcher (AGL) for combat testing.

“General Verzosa wanted to test this AGL first to determine its combat performance before we purchase them for distribution to our ground troops,” he said.

Chief Superintendent Andres Caro II, Southern Mindanao police director, said except for a number of disturbances caused by rebels, the region remains relatively peaceful. – With Jaime Laude, Edith Regalado and Cecille Suerte Felipe