COTABATO CITY, Philippines — The police and military on Monday started deploying security teams in areas that could be targeted by Islamic State-inspired extremists during the Lenten Holidays.
Chief Inspector Aldrin Gonzalez, information officer of Police Regional Office-12, said Monday that undercover personnel have been fielded in markets, terminals and in other busy spots in cities and provinces in central Mindanao as part of tightened security.
Region 12 covers the cities of Koronadal, Cotabato, General Santos, Kidapawan and Tacurong and the provinces of Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato, North Cotabato and Sarangani.
There are remnants of local Islamic State-inspired blocs in Region 12 agitating animosity against non-Muslims and against the government.
Mindanao has been under martial law since May 2017 in response to an attack by the Islamic State-linked Maute terror group and a faction of the Abu Sayyaf on Marawi City in Lanao del Sur. Martial law has been extended to December 31, 2018.
"Our chiefs of police in cities and municipalities shall also embark on information drives to warn people not to leave their homes unguarded if they leave for vacation trips," Chief Inspector Gonzalez said.
He said they will also have road safety programs, in partnership with the Land Transportation Office-12 and the Regional Highway Patrol Unit, to ensure the safe travel of motorists and commuters during the Lenten holidays.
Chief Superintendent Graciano Mijares of the Police Regional Office-Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao said Monday the provincial police offices in ARMM have also been implementing security programs in line with the Christian Holy Week next week.
Mijares said he is thankful to the provincial peace and order councils in the autonomous region for assuring PRO-ARMM of their support to its security missions.
The autonomous region covers Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur, which are both in mainland Mindanao, and the island provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.
Mijares said the provincial government of Maguindanao, which has the largest number of Christian residents in the region, is already coordinating its security measures.