The Army’s 4th Infantry Division (4ID) coordinated closely with the 1st ID (1ID) on Wednesday in case any untoward incident arose from the military’s move to bar a Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) convoy from entering Kolambugan, Lanao del Norte.
The police and military intercepted the MILF convoy involving some 200 individuals, half of whom were armed, due to a lack of coordination, causing fears and traffic delays along the highway. The MILF members were on the way to Munai, Lanao del Norte to attend a meeting. They agreed to be escorted back to Picong, Lanao del Sur after authorities talked with their leaders.
Col. Joe Patrick Martinez, 4ID spokesperson, said on Thursday that an inter-military command coordination happened during the incident. He said that while division territories are clearly marked, mission flexibility always takes precedence over territorial borders.
‘Kolambugan is part of 1ID’s area of responsibility (AOR). Usually, we secure adjacent boundaries of the two divisions to provide support,’ Martinez said.
He added: ‘But if the situation escalates, (the Eastern Mindanao Command) will task us to deploy units inside 1ID’s AOR to support them directly.