By BONG REBLANDO
[ Manila Bulletin Online ] November 24, 2008
TUBOD, Lanao del Norte — The United States (U.S.) government is set to construct a 27-kilometer stretch of road worth some P60 million in Lanao del Norte that will pass through three towns of Kauswagan, Matunggao and Poona Piagapo – a hotbed of Moro rebels.
Army 104th Brigade Commander Col. Benito de Leon said US Army Captain Christian Knutzen reported recently to Lanao del Norte Gov. Mohammad Khalid Dimaporo that his government has approved the road project in a bid to spur economic development in the area.
The project, De Leon said, would encourage farmers to plant more as they can bring down their products to the market in a shorter time with high prices, as well as improve mobility of goods and people – a key factor to spur agricultural economy.
At the same time, he noted that making accessible the interior parts of Lanao del Sur like Poona Piagapo, would enhance law enforcement in the area plagued by separatist rebellion, especially the group of wanted Mindanao Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Commander Bravo, now wanted by authorities for the killings of civilians in raids on several villages last August.
Knutzen told Governor Dimaporo that actual implementation of the road project would take place in a few days – a good news for the youngest governor in the country, who welcomes the project and expressed his appreciation to the U.S. government through Knutzen.
Both military officers also presented to Governor Dimaporo the consolidated list of plans, mostly infrastructure projects, as proposed by the different municipal mayors in the province.
The proposed projects, however, would still be subject to scrutiny before its nomination for approval of the U.S. government, Knutzen told the governor.
Knutzen is a part of the U.S. military stationed in the area in connection with the RP-US Visiting Forces Agreement, which undertakes civil-military activities in support of the local military to introduce development projects that would hasten stability in conflict areas.
Apart from carrying out infrastructures as provided by the RP-US VFA, the U.S. Forces have also been noted to carry out medical missions mostly in the depressed areas.
De Leon also told Governor Dimaporo that plans are now underway, on instructions of President Arroyo, to build a military camp in the hinterland municipality of Poona Piagapo, where Camp Bilal of the MILF is located.
Camp Bilal is the former camp of fugitive Commander Bravo, which was used before as an area for the temporary shelter of Bravo’s group while the GRP-MILF peace negotiations was taking place.
The camp was occupied by military forces after Bravo’s infamous pillage of Kolambugan and Kauswagan towns last Aug. 18.
"We are optimistic that the planned development of the area will address the security issues associated with its inaccessibility, and will eventually usher in economic activity to benefit the locals," De Leon said.
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