Military conducts medical mission in MNLF communities in Basilan

The military has launched simultaneous medical and civic action missions in Basilan as a way of giving back to the communities. Some of the areas that received help are communities of the Moro National Liberation Front, which they consider a partner, rather than a threat, in fighting the Abu Sayyaf. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

BASILAN—As a way of giving back, the Armed Forces of the Philippines launched medical missions and civic action programs over the weekend for some communities whose residents are members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

Lt. Col. Andrew Bacala, commanding officer of the Army’s 4th Special Forces Battalion, said they promised to return and give back to Sitio Bohe Beggang in the town of Al-Barka after being assisted by the members of the MNLF community in the fight against the Abu Sayyaf a few months back.

“Sila ang tumulong lalo yung mga MNLF at civilians doon para makuha ang four hills dito without casualty kaya we are paying it back. Malaking naitulong nila sa operations so in return we give them civic activities, donation of school supplies, refurbished school buildings, and sports equipment,” he told INQUIRER.net.

The school in Bohe Beggang served as a temporary camp for the military for 36 days last July during their operations.

Help is hard to come by in this place, and Al Barka Mayor Darus Lajid said it was the first time they received help from this kind of mission.

He added that Abu Sayyaf did not have an influence in the community but it was adjacent to Baguindan, a hotbed of the terror group located about two kilometers away.

The military also reached out to Barangay Masola in Isabela, another community with mostly members of the MNLF. The medical mission comes at a time the military is settling a dispute with the MNLF following the killing of one of its members in an encounter last year.

Barangay Kapayawan in Isabela, a hotbed of the Abu Sayyaf in the early 2000, also received help from the military’s weekend mission.

“Maraming namatay na sundalo dyan noong araw, yan ang unang kampo ng Abu Sayyaf dyan, walang tao dyan. After ilang taon, bumalik ang mga tao at sana tuloy-tuloy ang kooperasyon ng talo lalo na ng local government at AFP,” Bacala said.

Barangay Libug in Sumisip town also received help extended by soldiers. Bacala said this village was a threatened area, a gateway of the Abu Sayyaf from the mountains.

Alternative livelihood was also taught to the members of the community.

Active reservists

Active reservists played a huge role in the weekend mission, flying in their solicited donations, as well as doctors, nurses and volunteers from the reserve force in Manila.

The reservists took a time out from their day jobs to assist the military.

“Matagal itong pinagplanuhan at inalam ang pangangailangan ng barangay, ano ba ang nakakabalakid sa security ng munisipyo at sa mga barangay ng Basilan,” said Lt. Col. Nathaniel Marquez, chief of staff of the Civil Military Affairs Brigade of the AFP Reserve Command.

The CMAB also partnered with the 4th Special Forces Battalion in 2014 to conduct the same activities in different areas in Basilan.

“Ang ating reservists ay nakakatulong sa regular forces sa pamamagitan ng pagkalap ng donasyon, at the same time to show the citizens na ang regular na taongbayan ay sinusuot ang uniporme para maging instrumento ng kapayapaan,” Marquez said./rga