Bunot, INDANAN, SULU, Philippines – The Civilian Emergency Force have been in the bushes here for weeks staying in make shift tents, abandoned houses and farm huts making sure the Abu Sayyaf will not be able to cross the “constricted area”.

Hassan Abdulajid, 35, resident of Bilaan, Talipao is with a team of the Philippine National Police who were assigned here to take part in the “blocking force” of other joint CEF-AFP forward elements in the hinterlands of Indanan.

They ate the provisions of the Police supplied by the municipality of Indanan and Provincial government.

Abdulajid claimed, he is more concerned if the Abu Sayyaf can break the “cordon” which the government has set. In Tausug, he said “the area is so porous, where at times the Abu Sayyaf can sneak out”.

Their base camp is the burned municipal hall of Indanan.

Abdulajid is part of the 150 CEF from Talipao now assigned in the periphery of Indanan together with the CEF of the barangays in the hi-way of Indanan.

Kasim Sajili, 28, resident of Pasil, Indanan is also stationed next to barangay Poblacion, Indanan. With Sajili are around 30 CEFs from Pasil and Barangay Bunot.

Both Sajili and Abdulajid are eager to see a resolution to the crisis soon. However, Sajili hoped lives will not be wasted in the resolution of the conflict. He is also ready to defend his community “kahit na makapatay ako ng tao.”

The CEF were recently visited by Police Regional Director P/Chief Supt. Bensali Jabarani.

Jabarani reiterated the need of their cooperation considering the crisis has put the country to shame. “Sa Sulu lang may nangyari pagkidnap ng tauhan ng ICRC (International Committee of the Red Cross)”, (Only in Sulu where personnel of ICRC was kidnapped) Jabarani quoted saying in Tausug to CEF here.

“We appreciate your sacrifices,” Jabarani told the CEF under Indanan Mayor Hussin I. Ahajan.

The pressure to the Philippine government is high as it “involves ICRC and foreign nationals,” Jabarani explained to CEF here.