• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
There is no cause for panic.
This was the assurance of Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr. on the alleged presence of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) members in Barangay Tinampaan, Cadiz City, Negros Occidental.
Escalante said the local authorities, including the Philippine National Police and the Philippine Army, are verifying the authenticity of such information.
The city government will give its full support to whatever move they will make, he added.
Escalante said Cadiz remains very peaceful and there is no cause for alarm.
Some residents of Barangay Tinampaan were reported to have aired their concerns on the construction of a camp by persons claiming to be MNLF, who even raised a flag and set up checkpoints in the area.
The alleged MNLF men were also monitored to have been wearing military camouflage uniforms.
There were also reports that they are recruiting members, whom they promised a P40,000 monthly salary, after paying P10,000 recruitment fee.
PLt. Abegail Donasco, spokesperson of the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office, said they have received initial information that these people, claiming to be Muslims, were ordered to vacate the area within 15 days.
Donasco said the construction of a mosque in the area has no permit from the City Engineer’s Office.
She added that they are verifying the information on the reported recruitment. | GB
