Military prevents disinformation on MILF @Bravo’s movement in Lanao to attend "Tibao"

By Jun Enriquez

Video File: Col. Gilbert I. Gapay (seated center), Commander, 2nd Mechanized Infantry "Magbalantay" Brigade, Philippine Army, delivered a message during the press conference dated February 2, 2016, at the Camp of 15th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army, Bagumbayan, Lanao del Norte. together with Col. Gapay at left is Col. Anthon Abrina, Battalion Commander, 4th Mechanized Infantry Battalion, PA; Col. Denie Mar A. Clemencia, Battalion Commander, 5th Mechanized Infantry Battalion, PA; Lt. Col. Leomar Jose Doctolero, Battalion Commander, 15th Infantry Battalion, PA; and Lt. Col. Virgilio M. Noora, Battalion Commander, 41st Infantry Battalion, PA. Video by Jun Enriquez

Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte (February 2, 2016) – Col. Gilbert I. Gapay, Commander of the 2^nd Mechanized Infantry “Magbalantay” Brigade, Philippine Army, based in Maria Cristina, Iligan City, called up a press conference to address the disinformation from other places that the Military and MILF have already clashed. He said that this press conference will clarify the issue of the Moro Islamic liberation Front (MILF) @Bravo’s movement to attend “Tibao” or wake on his relatives in Kauswagan and Munai, all of Lanao del Norte. He said that the 2^nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade and its four (4) Battalions will remain committed in upholding the primacy of the peace process under the mandate of the ceasefire agreement and its mechanisms be strengthened, especially in Lanao del Norte.

Col. Gapay said they are willing to support the economic development packages in developing MILF communities together with the members of the MILF organization. He said they already helped the development efforts of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), and likewise will also be done to the brothers of the MILF on the economic track. Peace-building advocacy will continue in partnership with the civil societies to maintain the peace process on track. The temporary impasse and setback of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) in congress will not affect in the continued pursuit for peace.

Seated center, Col. Gilbert I. Gapay, Commander, 2nd Mechanized
Infantry "Magbalantay" Brigade, Philippine Army

In the timeline of events, Col. Gilbert I. Gapay, Commander of the 2^nd Mechanized Infantry “Magbalantay” Brigade, Philippine Army, said that on January 28, he had a verbal coordination about the matter with Major Sol, Secretariat of the Government Ceasefire committee on the cessation of hostilities (GPH-CCCH). Gapay said It was followed a verbal coordination on January 30, with Col. Manolo M. Samarita, chairman of the Adhoc joint action group (AHJAG), Lanao del Norte.

On the same day, January 30, 2016, a coordination meeting was conducted with the heads of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) AHJAG and CCCH Lanao, members of the International monitoring team (IMT), Joint Coordination Monitoring Post (JCMP), Lt. Col. Leomar Jose Doctolero, Commander of the 15^th Infantry Battalion (IB) and Col. Gilbert I. Gapay, held at the headquarters of the 2^nd mechanized Infantry Brigade. The subject matter discussed was about the request of Abdullah Macapaar @ Bravo to attend the Muslim wake (Tibao) of his relative Hadji Mominah Moling Asi at Barangay Dilabayan, Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte and his relative in Barangay Panggao, Lanao del Norte on 30-31 January 2016.

Col. Gapay said results of the meeting held hosted and presided by the 2^nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade was conducted at its headquarters in Iligan City, with the presence of Lt. Col. Doctolero Commanding Officer (CO) of 15^th IB, Local Monitoring Team (LMT) and Lanao del Norte MILF-CCCH-AHJAG, and agreed on the following provisions: The group of Abdullah Macapaar @ Bravo will only utilize four (4) vehicles as convoy which already includes one (1) vehicle from JCMP as guide; The party Abdullah Macapaar @ Bravo will consist of 20 personnel only; The said group will only pass through the Barangay Poblacion - Matampay – Delabayan – Panggao roadnet and vice versa during the visit; All involved MILF members are not authorized to wear MILF uniforms and are not allowed to carry firearms in the engagement areas; The sole purpose of the visit is to attend “Tibao” only. The duration of the visit is from January 30 at 6:30 in the evening until January 31 at 4:00 O’clock in the afternoon.

Lorry Gabule of Philippine Information Agency (PIA) ask
question about the significant number of MILF forces under
Kumander Bravo.

Col. Gapay said that the 2^nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade facilitated the safe passage of the convoy and will monitor the entire movement of MILF Kumander Bravo. Government security forces provided area security only and extended necessary assistance. The foregoing arrangement is envisioned to strengthen the confidence building initiative of the government and the MILF and will significantly contribute in keeping the peace process on track.

Col. Gapay said based on the situation report of the 15^th IB, MILF Kumander Bravo has not left the area as of February 1, 2016 at 9:00 O’clock in the morning and conducted a meeting at Sitio Kurakura, Barangay Tamparan, Munai, Lanao del Norte. Likewise @ Bravo and his party intent to leave the area on foot passing by a different route. Per coordination with the head of MILF-CCCH in Lanao, @ Bravo proceeded to Burabura camp Bilal travelling on foot on the night of January 31, which was in conflict with the reported situation by the 15^th IB Commander, Lt. Col. Doctolero and concerned civilians in the area. Likewise, @Bravo and his party were sighted with uniformed and armed MILF elements.

Lanao del Norte Gov. Khalid Dimaporo (3rd from right) chat with
the Military officers and CSOs.

Due to the conflicting reports and above cited violations of the agreed provisions, Col. Gapay requested the conduct of Security Patrol address to BGen Glenn G. Macasero, Chairman of the GPH CCCH based in Cotabato city, thru Col. Manolo M. Samarita, head of the GPH-AHJAG Lanao, that the visit of MILF Kumander Bravo has already caused alarm in nearby communities, the 2^nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade recommended the conduct of security patrol in the vicinity of Barangays Panggao and Tamparan, Munai, Lanao del Norte to ensure the compliance to the agreed provisions and facilitate the safe passage of @Bravo and his party on their way out going back to camp Bilal.  

Boodle fight ready

Lt. Col. Doctolero clarified the reported rerouting of vehicles to and fro in Munai-Kauswagan route was diverted to Bacolod, Lanao del Norte. There were negative reactions from the community. Doctolero said the rerouting should be done so that the group of @Bravo must be accounted based on agreed protocol. He was hoping that the people will understand the purpose of rerouting for the better security of the people in the area.

Col. Gapay said if they will learn @Bravo still in the vicinity they will exhaust all the peaceful means to make them comply with the agreement and it’s all about the “Tibao”. Gapay said that @Bravo is a good gentleman and warrior and believed to comply with the agreement. He said that on the ground there is ceasefire mechanism, the IMT is keeping of talking to @Bravo, elevate the complaint to the GPH CCCH to come up with a dialogue. Regarding the number of forces of @Bravo there was no significant increase based on information gathered. He said they will continue the security of the communities not to disrupt the peace, keep maintain open line of communication and avoid armed hostilities. Col. Gapay assured the people that the 2^nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade is always committed to uphold the primacy of the peace process. Photo by Jun Enriquez