MILF burns schools in Lanao del Norte

By BUTCH D. ENERIO
TODAY Correspondent

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - The Moro rebels are now in a rampage targeting civilians and vital infrastructures and has undermined the real aspirations of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

This was the assessment by the military of MILF forces operating in Lanao provinces under Commanders Yahya Lucsadato, Bravo and Minsupala.

Maj. Gen. Cristolito Balaoing, commander of the Army’s 4th Infantry “Diamond” Division said that Lucsadato and his men burned a four-classroom high-school building, an elementary-school building and a wet market in Pindulunan, Munai, Lanao del Norte, on Tuesday.

The burning was made after forces of the 401st Brigade, headed by Col. Ernesto Boac, has launched an air strike Tuesday on Lucsadato’s residence after getting the information from Maranao civilians, who are angry at the MILF for their atrocities.

Lucsadato was not in his house when it was bombed, but several of his men were killed. The rebel leader and his men withdrew toward the forested part of Munai.

“But before they withdrew, they set fire the school buildings and wet market,” Balaoing said.

He said that Lucsadato’s action only showed that his position is weakening and that “he now feels threatened” by the constant bombardment of his position. “We have inflicted a sizable casualty on the MILF with our air strike,” he said.

“The burning was part of the MILF’s retaliation to the civilians whom they suspected of reporting to us their positions,” he said in a phone interview. Balaoing is currently in Manila.

He also disclosed that Boac’s men have already overran several of Lucsadato’s “forward defenses” located on Hill 745, Hill 691 and Hill 719 in Pantao Ragat, Lanao del Norte.

He also said that they have already pinpointed the locations of Bravo and Minsupala.”

“We know their positions already. They are still in Lanao and we are determined to get them. They have not yet escaped to Cotabato or Maguindanao,” he said. He also disclosed that MILF rebels from Maguindanao and Cotabato have reinforced those in Lanao.

“But we are ready [to attack] them. We have Task Force Diamond, under Col. Armando Cunanan, and the 401st Brigade in the Lanao provinces going after them,” he added.

Boac’s men are concentrating on Munai and Lanao del Norte province, while Cunanan’s forces are operating in Lanao del Sur province.