Composite group to go after Cotabato kidnappers

MANILA, Philippines -  Military and police officials have activated a composite group in a bid to strengthen the campaign against kidnappings in Cotabato City and other areas in Mindanao.

Brig. Gen. Jose Mabanta Jr., Armed Forces deputy chief for operations, said Joint Task Force Kutawato will address a spate of kidnappings by various groups and promote interoperability among security forces.

“The major task is anti-kidnapping (efforts). However it is not limited to anti-kidnapping. Basically, it is an anti-crime (task force),” he said in an interview.

Mabanta said kidnappings in Cotabato and adjacent areas have alarmed local residents.

“(The kidnapping incidents are) alarming in a sense that the local folk have been asking for the activation of a combined or joint task force,” he said.

Mabanta said there also plans to activate similar groups in other areas in Mindanao.

Kidnappings in Cotabato are said to be perpetrated by extortion groups like the al-Khobar, which is also tagged in bus bombings.

Armed Forces chief Gen. Eduardo Oban Jr. and Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Raul Bacalzo signed last Monday a memorandum of agreement that formally created the task force.

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Rico Puno witnessed the signing held at the Villamor Airbase in Pasay City.

The joint task force, which was named after the old name of Cotabato City, will be headed by Region 12 police director Chief Superintendent Benjardi Mantele.

It will also coordinate with the crisis management committee of local governments to discuss ways to curb kidnappings and heinous crimes.

“We are confident that with the activation of the Joint Task Force Against Kidnapping… your police and military forces are given increased capability and enhanced interoperability in pursuing kidnappers in Cotabato City and other cities in Mindanao,” Oban said in a statement. 

He said the activation of the task force would ensure the safety and peace of mind of the public.– With John Unson