BANGSAMORO NEWS UPDATES

COTABATO CITY (PNA) -– A leader of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) today urged Mindanao Moro leaders, particularly fellow MNLF to unite and support the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law.”We will reap nothing if we keep disunited,” Uttoh Salem Cutan, an MNLF leader from Southern Mindanao, said.He said the BBL is not for single group only but for all the sectors in Mindanao, including Christians and Indigenous Peoples. Let’s give peace a chance,” Cutan, also former Executive Director of the Southern Philippine Council for Peace and Development (SPCPD), appealed.

MANILA (PNA) -– The war on terror continues without letup even on holidays as government forces killed two terrorists in a clash with an 80-member Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in Patikul, Sulu at 4 p.m. on Maundy Thursday, a military report said.Troops from the 22nd Marine Company of the Marine Battalion Landing Team (MBLT) were alerted by civilians about the presence of heavily-armed ASG terrorists led by Hairulah Asbang in Sitio Poncho Kan Sahiron, Barangay Danag, Patikul, Sulu, the military said.The ASG terrorists were unaware that the military knew about their presence.

MANILA (PNA) -- Justice Secretary Leila M. De Lima on Wednesday justified the Department of Justice' action of placing former Salibo, Maguindanao Mayor Akmad Ampatuan under the coverage of the Witness Protection Program (WPP), saying the former mayor is a key witness to the second wave of complaints in the Maguindanao massacre.The massacre claimed the lives of 58 civilians, including 15 women and 32 media practitioners in Ampatuan town, Maguindanao on Nov.

PIKIT, North Cotabato - A fire of still unknown origin gutted down three residential houses whose owners were attending graduation ceremoniesin Barangay Talitay here Friday noon, police said.Senior Insp. Sindatu Karim, Pikit police chief, said the houses of Kamad Salilaguia,Santukan Ulama andBedo Ulama went on fire at past 12 p.m.Karim said the owner ofone of the houses sells petroleum products.

MANILA -- While not declaring a heightened alert this coming Holy Week and the 46th anniversary of the New People's Army on March 29, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has announced that all its forces are ready for any eventualities.This was disclosed by AFP public affairs office chief Lt. Col.

KORONADAL CITY -- Military authorities here blamed the communist New Peoples Army in a failed bombing attempt at a militia detachment in Columbio, Sultan Kudarat Monday.Capt. Rey Balibagoso, speaking for the 1002nd Infantry Brigade, said the NPAs are making noise as its foundation anniversary is fast approaching.On Monday night, suspected NPA hit men fired two M-79 grenades towarda militia detachment in Barangay Maligaya, Columbio, Sultan Kudarat. Both grenades did not explode.

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao -Soldiers clashed again with marauding bandits in Datu Piang town on Monday, causing panic among local folks and evacuees cramped in squalid evacuation sites nearby.The hostilities erupted when members of the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, led by Abunawas Ibad and Omar Sangkung, opened fire on soldiers patrolling in a secluded area in Barangay Alunganen in southwest of Datu Piang.The soldiers, who belong to the Army’s 2ndMechanized Battalion, the 61stReconnaissance Company of the 6thInfantry Division and the 7thInfantry Battalion, engaged the bandits

KIDAPAWAN CITY - The long dry spell continues to destroy forests in North Cotabato with bushfire incidentshappening every now and then even as the country observes Fire Prevention Month.The latest fire incidents in the forest occurred in the mountains of Makilala, North Cotabato, according to the Bureau of Fire Protection.One of the two bushfire incidents happened in the forests of Barangay Buhay Thursday which lasted for about two days. The bushfire of still unknown origin ate up vast track of cogon grass in Barangay Buhay, the BFP said.

MANILA — Police authorities in Northern Mindanao announced Saturday the arrest in Misamis Occidentalof a suspected bomber believed to have been involved in Kidapawan City bombing.The state media, quoting Chief Supt. Agrimero Cruz, Northern Mindanao police regional director, identified the suspect as Abdulmalik Salik, a member of the al-Khobar extortion group operating in North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and South Cotabato.Salik was arrested at a police checkpoint in Panaon town, Misamis Occidental at past 5 p.m.

KIDAPAWAN CITY - More than 1,150 cats and dogs were vaccinated in an intensified anti-rabies vaccination of the city veterinary office.Dr. Eugene Gornez, Kidapawan City veterinarian, said the mass vaccination will also be conducted in remote barangays to help prevent the escalation of rabis among animals and pets. March is Rabies Awareness Month.