January 28, 2010 – A humanitarian program by the Western Mindanao Command, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP WestMinCom) and United States soldiers takes place today in the municipality of Al-Barka, Basilan.

The program being held at Barangay Magkawa involves free medical and dental services, provision of food ration and school materials for children, said report reaching luwaran.com/net.

Doctors from the WestMinCom and US troops will lead the humanitarian program. MGen Mohammad Dolorfino, Commanding General of the WestMinCom, informed the MILF Ceasefire Committee Liaison Officer accordingly.

Magkawa is less than one kilometer away from Baranagy Guinanta, Albarka, which is the stronghold of the 114th Base Command of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces, Moro Islamic Liberation Front (BIAF-MILF).

Residents from neighboring barangays are invited to avail of the program.

Meanwhile, an MILF commander expressed support for the cause of humanitarian program and peace process, particularly in Basilan.

“We are willing to support the program if it is for the advancement of the peace process between the government and MILF,” the commander said.

However, he appealed to the organizers to avoid getting very near to the MILF troops positions at Guinanta and not to use the humanitarian program as a ploy for counter-insurgency and targeted operations leading to the apprehension of those MILF forces currently facing criminal raps based on wrongful complaints and arrest warrants.