Anyone near Iligan City, Mindanao

[kev_n_jena 89]

I'm hearing about all the violence near Iligan City. My wife's mother's family is there. We'll try to contact them tonight. Friends of ours are going through the visa process right now and she is from there also. We're praying for everyone near the violence. I stayed near Iligan City 2 years ago while visiting my wife and thank God there was no fighting while I was there.

Kev & Jena

[ED*Riza 0]

My family are from Pagadian City just 3 hrs away from Iligan and my heart grave for them . I am here safe yet they are there so vulnerable to the violence there. I prayed for God's mercy and protection and peace form all people in Mindanao.

[csmith1216 1]

My Fiancee's sister lives in Iligan the rest of her family is in pitogo. She is living in Ozamis city now .i worry very much for her but she tells me she is safe and her family is fine........... another fine showing from the religion of peace

[Jon-n-Michelle 0]

You beat me too it Kev. I was going to post asking if anyone had family there or were at least following the violence. Michelle says she is fine, but they fled their home last night. She said it was panic everywhere, with hordes of people trying to get in what few jeeps were still running. They ended up walking to her sister's house, and sleeping in the basement underground. I want to know what Pres. Arroyo is going to do. There is a large military presence in the city, but none in the very vulnerably outer barangay. Only checkpoints in the roads. Why aren't they hunting these people down like the animals they are. They murdered a 2 year old girl and her father. What threat does a 2 year old pose to their cause. It makes me absolutely sick that Arroyo just has the military riding around like police. She needs to take aggressive action and wipe the MILF off the face of the earth. Sorry for the rant, but my girl and her family are right in the center of this, and our interview is only 2 weeks away.

[Dakine 26]

Arroyo Orders Military to Restore Peace After Muslim Rebels Launch Attacks

By Nancy-Amelia Collins

Jakarta

18 August 2008

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo vowed to take firm action against Muslim rebels following new attacks in several towns in the southern island, Mindanao. Officials said at least 24 people were found dead, Monday - many hacked to death by machetes -- after members of the MILF launched a wave of attacks in several towns in Lanao del Norte. VOA correspondent Nancy-Amelia Collins has more.

Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo ordered the military to "defend every inch of Philippine territory" against recent attacks in the country's southern island, Mindanao, by members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

In a televised statement, Ms. Arroyo said the government would "not tolerate" and "will crush any attempt to disturb peace and development in Mindanao."

The attacks come just days after the government halted military operations against the MILF in another part of Mindanao. Those operations had forced tens of thousands to flee their homes.

The fighting comes after the Philippine Supreme Court suspended a deal reached between the government and the MILF, earlier this month, that would have expanded an existing Muslim autonomous zone and given the group greater autonomy.

MILF chief negotiator Mohaqher Iqbal told VOA the group's leadership did not sanction the latest attacks.

"There was an attack carried out by apparently MILF elements affiliated, under Commander Bravo. But this is not sanctioned by the MILF leadership," he said. "Nonetheless, after several hours of making contact with them and then a few hours ago, the commanders were able to get in touch with them. They were ordered to vacate the area immediately. So, the area is now cleared."

The military says the latest attacks show a significant number of MILF fighters do not support the peace process.

Armed Forces chief General Alexander Yano told a news conference it appeared several MILF subcommanders were not controlled by the MILF leadership and were using the peace process to launch attacks against the people of Mindanao.

However, Iqbal says he believes the peace process, which has been underway for a number of years, could still be saved.

"I believe it can be saved. And, what is important here is the commitment of the MILF to resolve the Mindanao problems through peaceful negotiations," he added. "That commitment is here standing very good until now…our effort remains sincere in finding a peaceful solution to the conflict in Mindanao."

The Philippines is a predominately Roman Catholic nation but five percent of the people are Muslims - most of them living in the south of the country.

Ms. Arroyo said the government would "not tolerate" and "will crush any attempt to disturb peace and development in Mindanao." HUH

Way to go Gloria. "crush everyone" and I guess there would be peace then!!!

[RyaNRiza 1]

I think that Riza's family is near Pagadian city. She is down there right now, prior to coming back here with me. I talked to her this morning and she sounded worried about the violence. She said that they burned up a bus and several farms. I feel sick in my guts knowing that if farms are burnt, that means that some families are rendered homeless and penniless. I am so worried about Riza and her family.

[Jon-n-Michelle 0]

I just read another report of a 7 year old boy found mutilated by the retreating MILF. Reports said that his stomach was hacked open and then left to die. My son is 7 and can't fathom why anyone could do that to an innocent child. This is making me sick. How does a religion that supposedly preaches peace breed such inhumane animals.

[Skeeter211 2]

My wife's family are all living on the island of Mindanao. Many of her family are near Davao. Her mother and brother are living just outside of Ozamis City, which is only about one hour from the violence in Iligan. They are all worried because they have heard reports that the rebels will continue the violence into Ozamis and Tangub. They said they don't really sleep well at night now as they fear being attacked. My mother-in-law said they can't even travel to Cagayan de Oro now because the rebels are burning all of the busses that try to pass. It's sounds really bad. We are worried for them and hope God will keep them safe from harm. Please....everyone pray the violence will end quickly!

Scott

[marizzacdo 4]

I am from Cagayan de Oro City, part of Northern Mindanao, so far we are very safe and very peaceful here. I agree with you Jon-n-Michelle, the government must show aggressive action on this, they are really CRIMINALS. I feel so bad to hear about the violence. The brutal killings really tore my heart. As i heard on the news on radio, after the MILF rebels shoot the victims, they still cut them into pieces, #######!!! Very evil

As per interview with Commander Bravo, he even said, that the problem in Mindanao won't end unless otherwise the GRP will turnover the island to the muslims! what???????????? they're crazy indeed!!!! The sad thing there is, if they're brave enough, why don't they fight agains the army not with the innocent civilians. When they feel like the government is about to wash them, they will then call for a peace talk!!!! stupid again!!! I have heard this many times in the past few years, they are the one who request for peace talk, and when they feel like they're good and all set again, they are the first one to break the agreement.

Cagayan de Oro's "Kagayhaan festival" is now fast approaching, it would be on August 28, but a lots of our city activities were cancelled coz we are afraid that they might do terroristic attacks here especially that they know that there are lots of spectators, visitors on that day. And one thing, 3 leaders of the MILF (though they are not the one who are directly involve in the riots in Central and Southern Mindanao, but since they are big leaders, so, commands came from them) will come over in Cagayana de Oro City together with City Mayor Duterte of Davao on August 27-28 to talk about peace in Mindanao. You think it will work????? I don't think so. Talk to the marines damn #######!!!!! (Sorry with my terms i just feel sooooooooooooooooo bad on them)

I still go with the All Out war campaign. Take note, the leaders of those MILF in person of Commander Bravo itself, said that "The probem in Mindanao wont stop, unless the GRP will give Mindanao to the muslims". They suck!!!

I hope they wont bother to kill the civilians. My prayers are with them. I hope for all those people living nearby Lanao del Norte and in those areas who are affected, hope they will find peace soon. My prayer is with them. For those who has their fiancee's in those areas, i hope and pray they are safe.

God bless us all.

[RonMay 1]

my family lives in cagayan de oro and thats freaking 45 mins to an hr drive from iligan and i truly hope this bastards would not do any harm not only to my family but also to our country men... heck they're also filipino by blood (if not by heart. knowing they keep on killing people)...

i pray to God to have peace and harmony in mindanao and rest of the nation

[shining_angel 0]

I am from iligan but my hometown is cotabato . two places that are always ravaged by the never ending wars. I called mom last week and she said the ground shook each time the armies fired the cannon. But now there's the ceasefire and they have peace at least for a while.

I called my co-workers in Iligan and she said that all classes are suspended and the curfew is strictly followed. The bad thing is she work late at night in the hospital so that means they have to go to the hospital extra early. It's sad and scary. I have experience those things before, how to tremble in fear each time the army sorround our baranggay, or each time we hear the machine guns go off. Or each time the wounded soldiers go to the hospital all bloody and dying I wished i never seen them.

We need to pray for them..we are far from them and all we can do is pray I know God sees all these things. And He will do something about this in his own time.

[RyaNRiza 1]

I have to stop reading about it. The more I read, the more I worry for Riza and for her family.

I don't understand what killing people does to help the peace process. I don't understand why these idiots would think that killing innocent people and burning down their homes would do anything except turn the government and the people against you.

I need to pray. I think that is my only course of action since anything else I can think of would just make me crazy. I'm going to Cebu next week to bring Riza home. I pray that She will be able to come.

[ED*Riza 0]

I just had talked to my sister who made a call for my family in Pagadian city just today it is now included red alert . And the entire Philippines is red alert though not in the news. Please let us pray for our nation.

Riza

[kev_n_jena 89]

Any more news?

Edited August 21, 2008 by kev_n_jena

[ruby_jade 0]

im from cagayan de oro and we are safe here!!! the latest news in the govt is trying to RENEGOTIATE the peacetalks...

#######,... im in full support of the all out war against the MILF..

thanks god my father retired in the army 3 years ago, he was assigned in that area before..