Maguindanao Governor Esmael Mangudadatu said he is working with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front to resolve the conflict that has so far killed 11 people— not 14 as earlier reports had indicated—in Mangudadatu town.

Five of the victims were close relatives of the governor.

The police said rival Moro groups traded fire on Sunday, during which at least three combatants were reported killed while the other victims were hit in the crossfire while visiting a road project.

Mangudadatu said a crisis committee has been formed to address the problem in Tenok village and to prevent more hostilities from erupting.

He said the crisis committee included representatives from the MILF.

“This move is in the right direction to restore peace and harmony in the province,” said Guimid Matalam, former vice governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, who attended Tuesday’s meeting of the crisis committee.

Mangudadatu said the hostilities were a threat the security of civilians and more violence would not settle any dispute.

“There is no better substitute to a peaceful settlement of conflict,” he said.

MILF commander Boy Hashim said their involvement in the crisis committee was expected to convince the MILF members to talk about their problems with local officials.

Hashim admitted that some MILF members in the town resented the development plan for Lake Buluan as they perceived it as a threat to their existence.

Mangudadatu said the government’s plan to proceed with a P100 million goat farm and halal processing plant, including the growing of oil palm and rubber trees around the 10,000-hectare Lake Buluan would benefit residents of the area, regardless of whether or not they were Moro freedom fighters.

“The goal is to uplift the living conditions of my people, but some MILF members in the area have misinterpreted this. That’s why I want to bring back normalcy through the intercession of our MILF friends in the hierarchy,” he said.

Source : Inquirer.net