AFP tightens grip on Visayas

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines has tightened its grip on the Visayas regions to avert any possible intrusion of ISIS-inspired local terrorist groups into the area.

The security measures would be carried out with the involvement of communities down to the barangay level,  that would strengthen defenses against possible terror activities of extremist groups from Mindanao, military authorities told The Freeman.

This also developed as the AFP Central Command is now realigning its troops in the Visayas by deploying two companies of  Army troopers from the 3rd and the 8th Infantry Divisions to beef up the forces of the 302nd Infantry Brigade in Bohol.

Major General Jon Aying, commander of the 3rd ID, however said that while the ISIS threat is clear and present, "there is no cause for alarm in the four regions in the Visayas (Region 6, 7, 8 and 18)." He declared: "It is a cause for a sense of security and not for alarm."

Aying, who presided over Thursday's inter-agency workshop-participated by the different state security forces and local government officials of Negros Island Region-admitted that the terrorist group has the capacity to influence, entice or attract more people from the different communities in Visayas and Luzon.

Lieutenant Gen. Oscar Lactao, commander of the AFP Central Command who also attended the workshop, rallied the various security units to ensure that not a single terroristic activity will happen in the Visayas.

The 3rd ID already established the Joint Task Force Dagon in Bohol, Joint Task Force Leon Kilat in Negros Oriental, Boracay Task Group and Joint Task Force Buglas in Negros Occidental, with more to follow in the provinces of Iloilo, and Siquijor, among others.

Aying said they are urging the different provinces to come up with structure mechanisms to establish convergence among local government units, civil authorities, law enforcement agencies and development sectors–from the provincial level down to the barangay–to address different concerns, such as maritime security.

The possibility of Maute terrorism spillover to the Visayas are now being considered by the authorities, he said, adding that these joint task forces will be cascading into the cities, municipalities, and all barangays, where the residents would be part of the security team. (FREEMAN)