Soldiers deployed in Magpet villages for peace and dev't

KIDAPAWAN CITY (Sept. 25)Soldiers task to initiate peace and development in the community were sent to at least 17 far flung villages of Magpet, North Cotabato on Monday, a Army spokesper today said, Capt. Manuel Gatus, 57thInfantry Battalion spokesperson, said a simple send-off ceremony and signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) were held in the military detachment attended by town’s top officials, representatives from theacademe and residents. The soldiers main task is to conduct bayanihan activities and help the villagers maintain peace and security,” Gatus said. Gatus said a team of soldiers composed of at least nine members will be deployed in each villages. The military spokesperson however clarified that the position of their soldiers is far from the government facilities to ensure that no civilians will be caught in crossfire once they are harassed by lawless elements. We assure the villagers of their safety and we will also protect them from any form of harassment that might be perpetrated by the state’s enemies,” Gatus said.The deployment of forces came following a brief encounter and roadside bomb attack that left three policemen wounded.Militant groups condemned the arrest of seven farmers following the incident.Karapatan, a human rights group in North Cotabato, said the arrest of seven persons on suspicion they were communist rebels was a human rights violation. No, said Colonel Nilo Vinluan, chief of the 57th Infantry Battalion. They were invited for questioning because they were seen near the encounter site with the armed men. They were later released.Karapatan also said the deployment of soldiers in Magpet villages was a clear militarization that would increase human rights violation cases.