More than 2,000 soldiers, cops to secure Bangsamoro plebiscite in Lanao del Norte

Bobby Lagsa

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

More than 2,000 soldiers, cops to secure Bangsamoro plebiscite in Lanao del Norte
Government forces won't leave anything to chance as this Northern Mindanao province votes on whether to allow 6 municipalities to join the new Bangsamoro region

LANAO DEL NORTE, Philippines – The government has deployed more than 2,000 soldiers and policemen to augment the security forces in this province in time for the second leg of the Bangsamoro plebiscite on Wednesday, February 6.  

The deployment includes dedicated counter-terrorism units and cops from as far as Caraga and Central Visayas regions.  

On Wednesday, voters in Lanao del Norte will decide through the ballot whether they would allow 6 municipalities – Tagoloan, Balo-i, Pantar, Munai, Nunungan, and Tangcal – to become part of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). 

The BARMM will be created by virtue of the Bangsamoro Basic Law, which the 4 provinces in the current Muslim autonomous region ratified on January 21. (It was rejected by the 5th province, Sulu, but the region’s majority vote prevailed.)  

On February 6, North Cotabato will also vote on whether to allow 20 barangays or villages to join the BARMM.  

For the concerned localities to become part of BARMM, their mother provinces have to vote “yes” as well. Without the double majority, these Muslim-dominated localities cannot join the new Bangsamoro region.  

Here in Lanao del Norte, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is campaigning hard for a “yes” vote, while the provincial government is campaigning for a “no.” 

Northern Mindanao police spokesperson Surki Sereñas said the size of the deployed forces is unusual, as they don’t want to leave anything to chance.

At the Regional Joint Security Coordinating Committee (RJSCC) meeting at Camp Vicente Alagar in Cagayan de Oro City on Monday, Regional Police Director Police Chief Superintendent Timoteo Pacleb said the presence of the MILF in the province was considered in the security preparation.

Last week, Abdullah Macapaar alias Commander Bravo of the MILF’s Northwestern Mindanao Front command said that a “no” vote could result to violence, since young Moro residents might feel their rights to join a region they want are being denied.

Army colonel Alex Aduca, deputy brigade commander of the 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade and head of Task Force Plebisito, said that Macapaar’s video message was prone to misinterpretation.

Aduca said that Macapaar’s statement was written by a political writer, that was why it had a political tone.  

“When Commander Bravo speaks in Tagalog, it is prone to misinterpretation, he is emotional,” Aduca said.

Before the January 19 plebiscite in BARMM’s core territories, Macapaar met with Lanao del Norte 2nd District Representative Abdullah Dimaporo, who asked the MILF commander to let the people of the province vote freely.

During Monday’s command conference, security officials downplayed the scenario that a “no” vote could spark violence. The security  briefing showed, however, that Barangay Mucas in Kolambugan, Barangay Maranding in Lala, Tubod, Baroy, and Kapatagan are prone to bombing.

The municipalities of Munai, Kauswagan, Kolambugan, Maigo, and Pantao Ragat are areas of concern too.  

Lanao del Norte Governor Imelda Dimaporo said their apprehensions come from the presence of Mthe ILF in the coastal communities.

During the RJSCC meeting, security officials said at least 12,000 MILF members and supporters are expected to come to Lanao del Norte to show their support for a “yes” vote, although they are prohibited from wearing uniforms and carrying firearms.

“It is like intimidation because what happened in Cotabato City might happened here,” Governor Dimaporo said.

She said the people have fear of the MILF: “If they hear of MILF, they are already scared.” 

Lanao del Norte had been attacked by the MILF in 2000, 2003, and 2008.

Citing reports from municipal social welfare officers, Dimaporo claimed some families had evacuated their homes for fear of conflict during the plebiscite. They have gone to the cities of Tangub, Ozamiz, and Cagayan de Oro.

Dimaporo is hoping it will be a peaceful election: “Whatever the result of this plebiscite [will determine] our future here in Lanao del Norte…. What is important is that it is peaceful, let the people have the democracy to vote, that’s what they (Abdullah Dimaporo and Macapaar) agreed on, that’s their agreement, so I hope they will stick to their words.” – Rappler.com 

Add a comment

Sort by

There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation.

Summarize this article with AI

How does this make you feel?

Loading
Download the Rappler App!