Guv, military on Duterte ‘spillover’: There’s none

DAVAO City–Maguindanao’s governor and a military official have dismissed concerns about a “spillover” of the Marawi crisis in Buldon, Maguindanao, while a cabinet member said he has no idea about President Duterte’s pronouncement late last week.

This came after Duterte said he thought of lifting martial law earlier than Dec. 31, 2017 but the government has to address what may be a “spillover” in Buldon, Maguindanao.

“I was thinking that we could, you know, lift (martial law)  earlier but the way it looks, parang may spillover na sa Armm eh, sa Buldon. Let us see. If it is to the interest of the country that I will lift it, I will lift it but if not, then we just have to continue with the martial law,” Duterte told troops assembled at the 11th anniversary of the Eastern Mindanao Command on Friday.

Duterte gave no details of the supposed “spillover” but military and local government officials in Maguindanao say there is no such spillover.

Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu said he checked with military officials and the mayor but they have not monitored any “spillover” in Buldon.

Mangudadatu said they would continue to monitor the situation.

“No idea,” presidential adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza said on a question on the “spillover” in Buldon.

Capt. Jo-Anne Petinglay, spokesperson of the Western Mindanao Command and Joint Task Force Marawi, said there is no “spillover” in Buldon. She said she checked with the 6th Infantry Division where she and Westminom Chief Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez were previously assigned, and was told  “SPMS ang meron.”

SPMS refers to the area of Salibo-Pagatin-Mamasapano-Shariff Aguak, all in Maguindanao where clashes between the extremist Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (Biff) and the Joint Task Force Central of the 6th Infantry Division occurred. The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), which has a peace agreement with the government, had also clashed with the Biff last month. At least five MILF combatants were killed and at least 10 others were injured. (carolyn o. arguillas of mindanews)