North Cotabato appeals for support amid attacks

NORTH COTABATO, Philippines - Gov. Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza on Saturday urged North Cotabato residents to remain calm and continue supporting peaceful efforts of resolving conflicts that periodically disrupts the fragile peace in remote areas in province.

Mendoza said the provincial peace and order council (PPOC), the police and the military remain in control, always ready to uphold law and order in areas where there are occasional troubles involving rebel groups and feuding clans.

The provincial health and social welfare offices under Mendoza’s ministerial control have been extending relief services since early January to displaced families in the villages of Malagakit and Simsiman in Pigcawayan town, which bandits attacked almost simultaneously in late December.

Relief services have also been extended to dozens of displaced families in far-flung peasant enclaves in Matalam and Midsayap, where rival groups recently figured in sporadic clashes.

The humanitarian missions for the displaced North Cotabato residents were facilitated by the governor’s subordinate-staff, Marchita Capilitan and Jessie Enid, the provincial government’s focal persons for social welfare and health services, respectively.

The governor’s office has also providing relief and rehabilitation services to dozens of families affected by last week’s encounters between two factions in the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in Pikit town in the first district of North Cotabato.

Mendoza said the PPOC, which she presides over as chairperson, and local officials are now trying to address the security issues affecting local folks via diplomatic interventions.