Teddy Borja | iMINDSPH
Maguindanao del Norte —In an exclusive interview with iMINDS Philippines, Philippine Army's 6th Infantry Division and Joint Task Force Central Commander, Major General Alex Rillera, disclosed how the military successfully dispersed the armed groups who trooped to the villages of Bunged, Kakar, and Dados in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte prompting civilians to evacuate during Ramadan.
There were also reports of torched and destroyed houses in these areas.
Rillera stated, "I gave an ultimatum to these groups that if they do not leave by a certain time, we will intervene. Since my deadline was at 6 PM, they requested an extension, but their intention was indeed to vacate. We were not too strict. I agreed and allowed them to stay until morning, and true enough, they abandoned the area. When we arrived early the following day, there was no sign of them. Subsequently, we patrolled the barangays of Bunge, Kakar, and Dados."
Major General Rillera outlined the events that led to this operation and the recovery of high-caliber weapons in the mentioned villages.
“Just like what happened in the past. That was last summer. Ramadan din, katatapos ng Ramadan and there was an incident during the Ramadan sa DSA particularly sa Dapyawan kung saan nagkaroon ng armed clashes, tapos nag-evacuate din ang number of people from the community. So, gano'n din ang nangyari dito sa Datu Odin Sinsuat started about first week ng March before the Ramadan. May konteng skirmishes, pero lumala nitong first week ng April. Kaya we have to intervene, we have to influence si Mayor Datu Lester to convene right away 'yong Municipal Peace and Order Council. Through that we exhausted 'yong mechanism natin on peace process like the AHJAG, CCHS both from the GPH government panel and 'yong sa MILF side. Kaya through that, we have the authority kasi we cannot allow this people to be displaced for so long, lalo na kagagawan nitong mga armadong grupo. Kaya we initiated clearing operation in order for the families, the displaced families to return to their homes.
Tapos no'ng nakita naming cleared na, bumalik kami to coordinate with the local officials para do'n sa mga tao na residente na tutulungan namin makabalik kasi nandodoon pa rin ang aprehension nila. Before mag move 'yong mga tao, siyempre part ng aming security aspect is you really determine kung clear,kaya another round of security operation. This time, may nakuha kami about 10 of them do'n sa defensive position nila sa Sitio Mito, Kakar. Nagkabulagaan eh kasi gumapang 'yong mga tropa namin. So, nagkatinginan, tumakbo. Nagtakbuhan itong mga grupo na 'to. They have no will to fight. Kasi ang after nila is makakuha lang.Kasi nga tinakbuhan nila 'yong baril nila eh.Ang laki no'ng isang nakuha namin, calibre 30 machine gun. Na hindi nila mabitbit basta-basta kaya naiwan. Merong M16 and other types of firearms. So. 'yon ang nangyari do'n. And we were able to secure the area once again and naipasok namin ang mga nag-evacuate na tao. The following day, naging maganda naman ang initiative ni Gov. Abdulrauf Macacua, nagbigay siya ng relief goods for those affected families. But it will not stop there,” Rillera said.
He emphasized the need for a peaceful resolution and a thorough investigation to hold those responsible accountable for any damage or disruptions caused.
"We requested the PNP to conduct investigations. Kasi nga tama 'yon, nakita rin namin, may mga nasirang bahay or intentionally na sinira. They have to answer for that. Basta armado sila and there is an ongoing investigation being conducted by the PNP and once done it will reach concerned authorities kung sinuman ang dapat managot dito, 'no? We are not tolerating it. And we will never tolerate those actions. Kung politicians man 'yan, kung sinong powerful individual that is manipulating the situation in Datu Odin Sinsuat then there will be time for reckoning."
Rillera added, "As of now, the situation in the barangays is normal, and we are working in coordination with the PNP to ensure their security."
The military's resolve to maintain peace and order in Datu Odin Sinsuat remains steadfast as they continue to collaborate with local authorities for the community's welfare.
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