Army snubs calls for military pullout in NorCot

KIDAPAWAN CITY - The military in North Cotabato has ignored calls by militant groups identified with the communist movement for Army pullout in Magpet town.Colonel Nilo Vinluan, commander of the 57th Infantry Battalion, said as long as the villages of Magpet are within the area of responsibility of the 57th IB, his forces will continue to implement Peace and Development Outreach Program (PDOP). We will not be affected by petitions from groups sympathetic to the New Peoples Army (NPA), Vinluan said, adding that his unit is open to dialogues with KARAPATAN human rights group and other organizations to discuss PDOP. Militant groups, farmers and villagers picketed the Magpet town hall calling for military pull out.But Vinluan said not all the protesters who joined the picket were from Magpet. Vinluan said the Norma Capuyan, vice chair of Apo Sandawa Lumadnong Panaghiusa sa Cotabato (ASLPC), appears to be protecting the NPAs in Magpet.Capuyan's group had been calling for military pullout in North Cotabato interior villages due to massive human rights violations. But Vinluan said the Army has not violated human rights of any individual in Magpet or in its Area of Responsibility.Despite this, Vinluan said his unit is open to dialogues with Capuyan's group, saying it would be best of her group work with the Army in promoting peace and development programs in the countryside.Magpet Mayor Florentino Gonzaga, meanwhile, said he will never allow the removal of soldiers in Magpet, claiming the entry of Army for the PDOP was legal and covered by the Memorandum of Agreement between the military, local governrment unit and the barangay officials. Beside, he said, the PDOP has the mandate of the national government and cannot be suspended or removed by any other group except the government.The protesters remained at the Magpet town plaza.