COMBATANTS from the Moro National Liberation Front and the Moro Islamic Liberation front have identified six municipalities in Lanao del Norte as potential “high-risk areas” for violence in the coming May 9, 2022 elections.
Their assessment came after leaders and fighters from the two biggest Moro rebel groups gathered for two days in Cagayan de Oro to do a “risk assessment” for Lanao del Norte province.
The joint study group of the MILF and MNLF also recommended the consolidation of polling places in the six towns.
The group also offered to deploy its members to help the military and police secure the elections.
Hanif Salindawan of the MILF 102ned Base Command identified these towns as Nunungan, Munai, Pantar, Tagoloan, Matungao and Magsaysay.
Salindawan said they fear factors like massive vote-buying; deployment of flying voters; the presence of armed groups; existing rido among candidates; and the possibility of biased election officials and teachers — will be present in these towns during election day.
He said in Tagoloan town, armed rebels of the New People’s Army take advantage of its location near the borders of Lanao del Sur and Cagayan de Oro City.
“These are our findings based on the history of these towns during election day,” Salindawan said.
Musa Sanguila of the Pakigdait Inc., an interfaith NGO, said these factors are the same old problems in every election in Lanao del Norte.
“It’s the same old problems during every election but what is significant here is that the fighters of the two rebel groups have come together to help,” Sanguila said.
Sanguila said the fighters are determined to have peaceful and orderly elections on May 9, 2022.
Lanao del Norte police director Col. Isaias Bacurnay Jr., said the findings of the joint MILF and MNLF study group differ slightly from the assessment by the police.
Bacurnay said the PNP has only two towns — Salvador and Munai — as “areas of concern” in the coming elections.
“We based our assessment on the history of violence of these towns every election but these findings by the MILF and MNLF are new developments that should be carefully looked into,” Bacurnay said.
The joint study group of the MILF and MNLF also recommended the consolidation of polling places in the six towns.
The group also offered to deploy its members to help ensure the conduct of peaceful and orderly elections.
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