Groups concerned over peace and order situation in Lanao del Norte after BOL rejection

After six municipalities in Lanao del Norte rejected their inclusion in the new Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, some groups remain fearful that conflict and violence will prevail in the province.

According to a report on State of the Nation with Jessica Soho on Friday, Maigo Mayor Rafael Rizalda recalled history of conflict with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) led by commander Abdullah Macapaar also known as Commander Bravo.

According to the report, he was referring to bloody assaults that claimed the lives of over 40 people after the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD) was scrapped by the Supreme Court when House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was president in 2008.

Maigo said that, after the plebiscite, he set aside all his differences with his "mortal enemy" for a common cause.

"Lahat ng MILF, lahat ng mga commander niya, pero sa ngayon, sir, magkatugma ang prinsipyo namin. Gusto nila Bravo bagong buhay, gusto nila 'yung VisCommand," Rizalda said.

The United Bangsamoro Justice Party, on the other hand, said operations and recruitment of ISIS-linked groups remains.

"Hangga't mayroong problema, may resentment 'yan. I-exploit nila 'yun para ma-twist nila 'yung ideology nu'ng mga tao papunta sa kanila 'yung simpatya," the organization's deputy secretary general Naguic Sinarimbo said.

Meanwhile, MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal emphasized the significance of the few towns in the province who voted “yes” for the inclusion of the six towns, even as the no votes prevailed overall.

"Pinaka-importante rito, formula for peace 'yung ratification at approval po ng Bangsamoro Organic Law, para po sa kapayapaan 'yan eh," he said.

"Siguro, hindi puwede natin sasabihin na 'yung ibang bagay ay secondary. Ito ay magpapatatag po ng isang kapayapaan dito sa Mindanao," he added. — Margaret Claire Layug/BAP, GMA News