A representative from the MILF 102nd Base Command gives an input during the 2-day risk assessment with the MNLF, military and the police on the May 9, 2022 elections in Cagayan de Oro City on Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022. MindaNews photo by FROILAN GALLARDO
CAGAYAN DE ORO (MindaNews / 18 February) – The Moro National Liberation Front and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front on Thursday identified six municipalities in Lanao del Norte as potential “high risk areas” for violence in the coming May 9, 2022 elections.
This was aired during a two-day risk assessment for Lanao del Norte held in Cagayan de Oro City and attended by leaders and fighters from the two Moro liberation groups.
Hanif Salindawan of the MILF 102nd Base Command identified these towns as Nunungan, Munai, Pantar, Tagoloan, Matungao and Magsaysay.
The joint study group of the MILF and MNLF also recommended the consolidation of polling places in the six towns.
They offered to deploy their members to help the military and police secure the elections.
Salindawan said they fear that factors like massive vote buying, use of flying voters, presence of armed groups, existing rido (clan feuds) among candidates, and the possibility of biased election officials and teachers would come into play in these towns during election day.
MNLF leader Adrian Dowa explains the political situation in Lanao del Norte during a risk assessment on the May 9, 2022 elections in Cagayan de Oro on Thursday, February 17. MindaNews photo by FROILAN GALLARDO
He said in Tagoloan town, the New People’s Army is taking advantage of its location near the border of Lanao del Sur and Cagayan de Oro City.
“These are our findings based on the history of these towns during election day,” he said.
Musa Sanguila of 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 every election but what is significant here is that the fighters of the two rebel groups have come together to help,” Sanguila said.
He said they are determined to have a peaceful and orderly election on May 9.
Lanao del Norte police director Col. Isaias Bacurnay Jr., said the findings of the joint MILF and MNLF study group differ slightly with their assessment.
Bacurnay said the Philippine National Police has only identified 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,” he said. (Froilan Gallardo/MindaNews)