Civilians wave on, salute arriving Army troops

By SERAFIN RAMOS JR.

MAITUM, Sarangani (September 21, 2008) – Hundreds of residents at the coastal highway from Maasim towards Kiamba and Maitum waved on a column of truckloads of soldiers and armored personnel carriers passing by Saturday afternoon (September 20).

Children lining the road were clapping and saluting. People filled the national highway to look at the next arriving military truck or armored personnel carrier.

"Makaturog tayon ti nasayaat (We can sleep well now)," a storekeeper said.

Another resident said "their (military) presence boosts security. I am happy. I feel secured."

"We are just here to enhance the security of the province. That's the reason why the 10th Infantry Division sent us, also to help in the law enforcement operations of the PNP and the AFP in going after those responsible for the last month's atrocities," said Major Rolando R. Rodil, battalion commander of 25th Infantry Battalion.

"We are not really up against MILF as a whole. We are only going after those who were responsible for the atrocities, those who have warrants of arrest," the battalion commander said.

The 40-vehicle military convoy was the biggest deployment seen here since the Moro secessionist war of the 70s.

"I am very pleased that they are here and I welcome them to the municipality of Maitum. They have stated that they are here to protect and preserve the peace of the municipality," said Mayor Elsie Perrett. "I'm very grateful and thankful that they are around."

In June 25, civilians in Maitum were held hostage by rogue elements of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). Firefights broke out when heavily-armed men ambushed government troops who were on their way to a crime scene where a civilian volunteer was killed by rebels in barangay Ticulab.
The MILF-triggered evacuation of civilians in three barangays came as villagers were returning to their homes in the aftermath of flashfloods caused by typhoon Frank.

In August 18, rogue MILF forces ransacked Maasim public market as they simultaneously attacked the town hall and police station. Policemen repulsed the attackers.

The rebels also killed two innocent civilians and wounded another.

A warrant of arrest for the crime of murder, destructive arson, arson, robbery with violence against and/or intimidation of persons was issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 38 on September 16 for at least 50 respondents.

According to the information sheet the accused "members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF)" committed the crimes "while armed with high powered rifles, conspiring, confederating and mutually helping one another… with deliberate intent… with treachery, abuse of superior strength with the aid of armed men."

Named in the warrant of arrest were Alu Binago alias commander Binago, Samir Malik, Jayon Saligan alias commander Aguilar, Muslimin Suib, Manawi Ibrahim alias commander Lawin, Manso Dimasangkay, Herman Capina alias commander Herman, Tikboy Maguid, Taha Maguid Sapal, Aser Demalon, Jamer Sadabao, Ming Demalon alias Mistah, Bondi Binago, Fata Abduljalil, Kadio Ibrahim alias Alas, Ustadz Absila, Alo Binago Tacbil, Nas Abad, Nasaro Rashid, Masaro Rashid, alias commander Dutch Adtud, Foxton Alisarbe, Arpio San Diego, alias Boy, Morsad Taya, alias Rambo, Samir Maulana, alias Ronnie, Mando Leonsily, alias Pod, Jover Leonsily, alias Aladin, Pelon Leonsily, Alias Mad, Bata Leonsily, alias Taruc, Norasin Ibad, alias Anwar, Mando Dimalankay, alias Nasser, Norsadin Ibad, Yasser Benito, Bata Jalil, Malinog Jalil, Jamer Benito, Mohamad Osop, Abdulrahim Mustafa, Harry Pata, Anwar Mustafa, Berbel Martin and several other unidentified persons. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)