by Edgar B. dela Cruz

Koronadal City (2 October) -- The province of Sultan Kudarat remains peaceful this was bared by Police Provincial Director Teng M. Tocao during the recent meeting of the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC).

"Despite of some atrocities in some part of municipalities of Columbio and Palimbang, which CPP-NPA and other lawless elements shows movement of troops and conduct harassments among the civilian populace, the province remain peaceful," Tocao said.

"With the help of police, military and the civilian criminalities were curbing down. Police visibilities in public markets, churches, malls, schools, government and non-government offices as well as conduct of checkpoints of military, police and tanods criminalities were prevented," added the police director.

Meanwhile Sultan Kudarat Provincial Governor Pax M. Mangudadatu PPOC Chairman and GRP Peace Panel member expressed apprehension over the bogged down peace talk between the GRP-MILF.The government cannot act now on the demand of MILF on ancestral domain and expansion of territories on Christian dominated areas awaiting next peace talk, Gov. Mangudadatu said.

"I believed the sincerity, commitments, .leadership and capabilities of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo that she will give priority the development and peace in Mindanao," Mangudadatu added.

He also asked and urged the people, concerned agencies and those who work for peace to continue doing the work for peace and development of Mindanao.

Meanwhile, General Edgardo M. Gurrea, AFP who is now new chairman of Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) of the GRP-MILF Peace Talks, said that their committee believed that peace talks between GRP-MILF will push through and that problem be solved soonest

CCCH and the International Monitoring Team (IMT) is very busy monitoring atrocities done by GRP-MILF and maintain peace and order and to ensure that agreement on the cessation of hostilities be observed by both parties.

It was also learned that the Japan International Cooperating Agency (JICA) had already express intention to join the IMT as a member to monitor infrastructure projects needed in war-conflict areas in Mindanao.