Mayor in Lanao Sur wants army detachment set up in his town

MARAWI CITY —  Claiming a rise in the number of loose firearms in his municipality, a mayor in Lanao del Sur has requested the Army to set up a temporary detachment near the town. Mayor Ibrahim Macadato of Butig town had made the request through First (Tabak) Division chief  Major General Ricardo Raineir Cruz III, who in trun said he will discuss the matter with Brigadier General Danilo A. Lucero of the 103rd Infantry Brigade. Citing police reports, Macadato said the number of loose firearms could now reach up to 6,000, and that an "abnormal situation" might be created with these guns in the hands of civilians – given the rampant family feuds in the municipality and the upcoming midterm polls. Based on latest records, he said, the town has around 20,000 population, including minorities and non-resident Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) members. He noted that Camp Busra, a major MILF camp, is located in Butig. The mayor said he has already submitted their formal request with supporting documents such as the Sangguniang Bayan resolution asking for the establishment of a temporary detachment. He said members of Philippine National Police Mobile group, who have become close and familiar to the townsfolk, are having a hard time enforcing the "no carrying of firearms" policy, that is why the Sangguniang Bayan wanted army's help. According to him, the MILF leadership has no objection to the establishment of an army detachment in the municipality. The Government of the Philippines and the MILF have recently signed a framework agreement, through which both parties have agreed to work for peace in the southern Philippines.  — Mariz Revales /LBG, GMA News