Ampatuan heads HELP-CM Task Force in ARMM

SHARIFF AGUAK, Maguindanao – Regional Governor Dat Zaldy Uy Ampatuan of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) lauded the national government’s effort of creating Health, Education, and Livelihood Progress in Central Mindanao Task Force (HELP-CM Task Force) in pursuance to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s Administrative Order 267 signed on June 29, this year.

In a consultation held Tuesday at the Provincial Capitol here, the governor said that the Task Force will serve as convergence mechanism for Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) efforts in dealing with the effects of conflict in Central Mindanao particularly in the areas of autonomous region.

“It is a privilege for me to be a member of HELP-CM Task Force. As such, the national government recognizes our value as the ones who knew entirely the real state of the region especially the on-going conflict and the plight of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). We are the key players here,” Ampatuan said.
The governor also derides the claim of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) that they are the representatives of the Bangsamoro people in region.

He said, “We are the real representatives or spokespersons of the Bangsamoro people here because we are elected by the people. We are not only legally mandated by the Constitution, this is our moral obligation to the people.”

Moreover, Maguindanao Governor Datu Sajid Islam Uy Ampatuan, also a member of HELP-CM Task Force, hoped that the war would eventually end as he hails the implementation of Suspension of Military Operations (SOMO) and calls for the resumption of peace talks with the MILF.

“I am praying that the communities are now safe for the IDPs. They should be allowed to return to their places of origin. With SOMO and HELP-CM Task Force, they will finally live normally,” Ampatuan said.

Col. Medardo P. Geslani, 601st Brigade Commander, Philippine Army, responded that “all areas in the province are secured, as long as MILF will not cross the threshold.”

Geslani further justified their continued presence in the area, “There are troop deployments because there are lawless elements, but I can assure the IDPs that we already secured the area and could now return homes safely. (BPI-ARMM*)