MAGUINDANAO (Mindanao Examiner / Feb. 9, 2013) – Philippine soldiers and Muslim rebels who are currently negotiating peace Manila have joined forces to protect President Benigno Aquino who is visiting Maguindanao province on Monday.
Aquino is expected to meet with leaders of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels and inspect government projects for Muslim communities.
Col. Manolito Orense, commander of the 603rd Infantry Brigade, said the army and MILF are now prepared for Aquino’s arrival.
“Basically ang magiging set-up nito ay joint effort, may eleven areas na babantayan, mga critical or strategic areas na gusto din nilang protektahan, joint ito and we will have one squad of soldiers from the 37th Infantry Battalion and one squad from the MILF, so one is to one tayo diyan,” he said.
On the part of the MILF, rebel leader Gordon Zaipullah, said they will deploy forces around their bases as an added blanket of protection not only for Aquino and his entourage, but the civilians as well.
“Outer security andiyan kaming lahat at external perimeter sa kampo, para ma-safe natin ang mga pupunta hindi lang ang presidente pati na rin ang mga bisita, yung hindi tayo maabot ng range ng M-79 (grenade launcher),” he said.
The town of Sultan Kudarat is likely venue of Aquino’s visit and Mayor Tucao Mastura is also elated by the cooperation shown by government and rebel forces.
“Napakasaya ko po kasi kumbaga sa amin yung dinadaing namin at tila parang panaginip lang noon na ang lugar na ito ay tinawag na No Man’s Land at ngayon sa mata ko mismo ay nakikita ko na ang prutas ng paghihirap namin dito ay nadinig na,” Mastura said, referring to the friendly atmosphere now prevailing between government troops and rebels.
For the first time, former protagonists have banded to ensure the safety of Aquino while he is inside MILF stronghold. Side by side, army soldiers and rebels also held a “boodle fight,” a military slang for a meal laid on a long table and eaten with bares hands. (Mindanao Examiner. Ferdinandh Cabrera)
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