Amas,
Kidapawan City - (North) Cotabato Governor Emmylou
“Lala” J. Talino-Mendoza called for the cessation of hostilities in
Matalam so that evacuees can go home to their respective residences.
This she declared in a multi-sectoral meeting on May 22, 2013 at the
municipality of Matalam.
Governor Taliño-Mendoza said that it is very important that the
evacuees especially the children and the elderly are attended to
immediately - their survival needs and health conditions properly
addressed.
The governor is also concerned because the school opening is fast
approaching and the classrooms which are used as evacuation centers
should now be prepared for the incoming school year.
She appealed to the Muslim elders and leaders to help in resolving the conflict between the two rebel groups.
The armed conflict which started on May 5 ensued when a troop from
the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) wore their uniform and brought
firearms to barangay Marbel where they were permitted by the Moro
National Liberation Front (MNLF) through Sebangan Kutawato State
Revolutionary Committee Regional Chairman Datu Dima Ambil to hold a
promotional campaign for the Bangsamoro Framework Agreement (BFA) in the
same barangay provided their troops will not wear their uniform and
will not bring their firearms.
In the same multi-sectoral meeting, Matalam Chief of Police PSI Elias
N. Dandan mentioned the same agreement between the MNLF and the MILF.
General Ademar Tomaro, commander of the 602nd Brigade of the
Philippine Army confirmed also their receipt of a copy of the said
agreement. “My men are only present to secure the area and protect the
civilians, we never engage in this war,” he said.
According to Matalam Mayor Oscar M. Valdevieso, based on the report
from their Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office, there are
approximately 6,880 individuals from Marbel, and the adjoining barangays
of Kilada and Ilian that are affected by the said armed conflict.
Datu Jimmy Matalam and Datu Nurudin Matalam members of the Matalam
clan, a highly respected Muslim clan in the province and from whom the
municipality is named after, volunteered to confer with the leaders of
the MILF and the MNLF and help resolve the problem.
Several Muslim leaders also suggested that firearms must first be removed from both parties before a dialogue is held.
Meanwhile, the military and the police will continue to conduct checkpoints and strictly implement the gun ban.
An action plan for peace negotiation is expected to be drafted after
identifying the root cause of the armed conflict in Marbel, Matalam.
Sick evacuees given free medication
After the meeting on that same day, Governor Taliño-Mendoza visited
some of the evacuation centers to personally check on the situation of
the evacuees. On her instructions, the sick evacuees were brought
immediately to the provincial hospital for free medication.
A medical mission and feeding program were also conducted at the evacuation centers.
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