COTABATO SITUATION

On 4:00 p.m. of August 8, 2008, civilian volunteer organization (CVO) members of Brgy. Tapudok, Aleosan, Cotabato were harassed by MILF forces under comdr Jorge Casim/Comdr Bruce Lee of 105th Base Command.
On 8:30 p.m. of same date, CVOs of Brgy. Kulambog, Pikit, Cotabato were also harassed by the same group. No casualty was reported. Populace of brgys. Tapudok, Aleosan and Kolambog, Pikit, Cotabato evacuated to Poblacion, Pikit and nearby barangays. PNP and AFP units assisted the CVOs and civilian populace in the area.
At about 6:30 a.m., August 9, 2008, a certain Mr. Felandro Licudo Magpale, while wrapping the fruits at the mango plantation owned by Ms. Mila Capa at Brgy. Pagangan 1, Aleosan, Cotabato, was fired upon by heavily armed men positioning at the mountainous portion of the said place and that for the safety of his life, he abandoned the area. Upon receipt of the report, elements of Aleosan MPS together with members of the 40th IB, PA proceeded to the area to identify the perpetrators.
As the PNP went to the area, information was received that a suspected Improvised Explosive Device (IED) was discovered along the National Highway particularly at Brgy. Dalengaoen, Pikit, Cotabato. Pikit PNP verified and secured the reported area while EOD team from the Philippine Army based at Midsayap, Cotabato and the Provicnial Capitol Compound, Kidapawan City were dispatched to confirm the veracity of the report and for possible detonation of the suspected IED.
As of 091700 August 2008, general situation of region 12 is normal.
An IED was discovered at about 091045 August 2008 along the National Highway, Brgy. Dalengaoen, Pikit, Cotabato. Elements of Pikit MPS, 1201st PPMG and 66th EODT, PA immediately proceeded to the said place to conduct investigation. Intelligence report stated that there was an attempt to sabotage the NAPOCOR Transmission Tower 48 situated at the said area. Said EODT recovered the following IED components: detonator, tie wire and cut motorcycle tires.
On August 9, 2008 at about 8:30 a.m., joint elements of 7th IB, PA and Pikit MPS established tactical command post (TCP) at the boundary of Brgys. Kulambog and Tapudok, Pikit, Cotabato to secure residents and preempt any harassments by MILF forces. Presence of MILF forces is still monitored at brgys. Langayin, Tpudok and Bualan, all of Pikit, Cotabato. Evacuation center for Muslims was established at Brgy. Manaulanan and for Christians at Silik and Pikit Parish Gym.
On August 9, 2008, 9:41 p.m., verbal instruction of regional director PCSUPT FELIZARDO M SERAPIO, JR. to place the whole region into full alert. In anticipation of the conduct of MILF diversionary operations particularly in Sarangani and Sultan Kudarat provinces by attacking PNP/AFP units, vital installations and town centers and of the possible taking advantage of the communist terrorists (CTs) of the present situation to conduct tactical offensives in CT areas, all PNP units regionwide is directed to maintain full alert status, strengthen defense stations, intensify intel monitoring and coordination with AFP counterparts in the AOR.