By Bonita Ermac
MAIGO, Lanao del Norte -- Town mayor Rafael Rizalda in his municipal peace and order council meeting with stakeholders AFP-PNP-LGU held Thursday, invited the presence of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front to shed light on the rumors that Commander Bravo will go down and attack Maigo town.
5th Mechanized Infantry battalion commander Lieutenant Colonel Ronel R. Manalo shaked hands with Bobby Amaikorot, MILF's deputy front commander, North Western Mindanao Front during a joint municipal peace and order council meeting held at HRM building, Mindanao State University-Maigo School of Arts and Trades, September 6. Looking on was Maigo town mayor Rafael C. Rizalda. (Bonita Ermac)
These rumors sow fears to the constituents of Lanao del Norte having experienced several attacks since 2003 to 2015, Rizalda said.
He shared that his town Maigo during the previous conflict has seen everybody were affected and victims, not only the innocent civilians of Muslims and Christians but also soldiers and the MILF.
MILF members led by deputy front commander, North Western Mindanao Front Bobby Amaikorot represented Commander H. Abdullah "Bravo" Macapaar.
Amaikorot said our presence is to show to all that we also want peace. We are one with you in pursuing peace and development here in Lanao del Norte.
"Wag po tayong maniwala sa maling balita. Naparito ang MILF sa Lanao del Norte para sa kapayapaan at kaunlaran", he said.
They also asked support for peace through voting "yes" this coming plebiscite.
Meanwhile, Rizalda said the rumor that Kumander Bravo will attack Maigo is not true calling those spreading the fake news as spoilers. "Kumander Bravo is cooperating seriously with the program," he clarified.
He said Maigonians fully support the government's program for peace and development and are thankful to the central command of the MILF for their support to promote peace.
"We felt the MILF brother's presence proved they are for peace", said 5th Mechanized Infantry Battalion commander Lt. Col. Ronel R. Manalo.
Manalo said they did not believe the report but validating and use the primacy of the peace process. "Mag-uusap po iyan, may mechanism po tayo na ginagawa," he said.
"We have both from the government side and the central committee of the MILF and they are telling us no," Manalo said.