Officials eye civilians’ safety from ‘rido’
CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao: Provincial government officials and the military here convened an unprecedented Provincial Peace and Order Council ( PPOC) meeting raising concern over the safety of civilians affected by sporadic armed clashes stemming from “rido” or clan wars.
Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu homes and left casualties, includchaired the special meeting that ing a wounded minor. the Philippine Army’s 6th Infan“Protection for civilians, partry Division commander Maj. ticularly of women, children and Gen. Arnel dela Vega hosted. aged people, is our main concern,” In attendance were 32 mayors, Mangudadatu said. police provincial director Senior The meeting adopted resolutions Supt. Agustin Tello, Department prescribing that the MILF hierarchy of Interior and Local Government constantly police the ranks of its (DILG) director Amina Dalandag - and other PPOC members. pecially those reportedly involved in
Highlighted during the meeting the armed skirmishes, and prodding — that drew the attendance of a concerned local government execurecord 32 out of 36 Maguindanao mayors — was the skirmish last Authorities believe that the reweek in the towns of Datu Saucent conflict was a family feud di-Ampatuan, Rajah Buayan and that stemmed from the killing of Datu Abdullah Sangki involving Datu Saudi Ampatuan Councilor two families allied with ground Sahabudin Namli, on February 21. commanders of the Moro Islamic A day after the murder, MILF ground Liberation Front (MILF) 105th and commanders Datu Acob and Datu 106th base commands that drove Itim traded shots in Barangay Madia hundreds of families from their in Datu Saudi Ampatuan.
Namli was not the only elected official murdered in Datu Saudi-Ampatuan town recently.
In November 2016, councilor Anwar Sindatuk was killed after he assumed the vice mayor’s seat a month after the death of mayor Samsudin Dimaukom in an armed clash between his group and anti- narcotic operatives in North Cotabato.
“Despite the recent murder [of Namli], there were also existing family feuds due to land disputes need all stakeholders to work hand- in- hand to resolve these issues. And since we are under martial law, we are doing our best under the circumstances,” Dela Vega said.
“And on top of that, we give primacy to the existing peace process because we know that MILF, MNLF [Moro National Liberation Front] and then some other private individuals were involved,” he added.
The council also took up urgent issues such as the threat of extremism and terrorism, illegal drugs, implementation of the 4Ps (Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino program) and programs strengthening cooperation between local government units and the army.
Cordial meeting
Also present at the meeting was former acting governor Sajid Ampatuan who accompanied his wife, Mayor Reshal Ampatuan of Datu Unsay.
Ampatuan, who is out on bail as one of over 100 suspects in the November 23, 2009 massacre workers, gladly shook the hand of Mangudadatu who lost his pregnant wife, sisters and other female kin in the carnage.
“My administration promotes unity and productive peace. Our quest for justice [for the massacre] is for the court to decide. Meantime, we must move on to bring Maguindanao to greater heights,” Mangudadatu said when asked to comment on his cordial interaction with Ampatuan after the meeting.