MILF, MNLF, village chiefs’ help sought to ensure peaceful polls

COTABATO CITY — Military authorities in Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat provinces have sought the assistance of village officials, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) as front-liners to ensure honest, orderly and peaceful elections (HOPE) on Monday.

Lt. Col. Elmer Boongaling, the commander of the Army’s 33rd Infantry Battalion (33IB), has met with village officials of Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat, and reminded them of their vital role in assuring that elections in their respective communities are orderly and peaceful.

“Your Philippine Army is your peace partner in every village and your cooperation is needed so that all of us are successful,” Boongaling told them on Saturday.

The activity, which was held at the headquarters of the 33IB in Barangay Tual, Pres. Quirino, Sultan Kudarat, was attended by village officials of Tacurong City, Pres. Quirino town, and the municipalities of Buluan, Paglat, Mangudadatu, Gen. S. K. Pendatun, Datu Paglas, and Pandag in Maguindanao.

The Army’s 1st Mechanized Infantry Battalion, headed by Lt. Col. James Fernando, also separately met with former leaders of Moro rebel group and MILF, and head of MNLF, in Datu Salibo and Datu Piang, both in Maguindanao, Saturday.

Fernando said since the Army, MILF and MNLF groups are advocating for peace, they all agreed to support each other, respect and adhere on the signed mutual understanding on troop deployment.

He stressed there is unity in strength and through teamwork and collaboration “something great” is expected to happen in the locality.

Both Fernando and Boongaling expect peaceful elections after laying down and implementing the mechanics that would ensure orderly balloting.