MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police heightened its security measures across parts of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao to preempt potential retaliatory attacks in the BARMM, following the death of four Dawlah Islamiyah extremists during a joint PNP and military operation in Maguindanao del Norte.
PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. ordered all police units in the region to assess the remaining operational capabilities of local extremist networks and intensify their intelligence monitoring across Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur and adjacent provinces.
“Every wanted person taken off the streets is a step toward safer communities and a stronger rule of law. We will sustain intelligence-driven operations and strengthen coordination with our security partners to prevent extremist groups from threatening the peace and security of our people,” Nartatez said in a statement.
The heightened security comes after the law enforcement operation on Oct. 16 in Barangay Tapayan in Sultan Mastura town.
Security forces were serving multiple arrest warrants against suspected terror group sub-leader Yusa Ganoy and three others when the four opened fire at the arresting officers, triggering a brief gunfight.
Ganoy and his associates were tagged in several bombing incidents in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat. They were also wanted for multiple killings and arson, among other crimes, in Maguindanao del Sur.
Nartatez assured the public that the PNP and military would maintain a heightened readiness to protect local communities from the remnants of terrorist groups.
“The PNP remains unwavering in its commitment to defend our communities against terror and violence, working side by side with our partner agencies to enforce the full force of the law,” Nartatez said.
Army honors soldiers, cops killed in Marawi
Meanwhile, the Philippine Army honored the soldiers and police officers killed during the 2017 siege of 12 barangays in Marawi City by the now defunct Maute and Abu Sayyaf terror groups.
The five-month siege, from May 23 to Oct. 17, 2017, resulted in the death of 168 members of the Army, Philippine Marine Corps and PNP. It also left 87 civilians dead.
“We in the 10th Infantry Division value so much the hardships of the military personnel and PNP members who worked together in driving those terrorists away from Marawi City. We shall never forget the supreme sacrifices, in line of duty, of the men in uniform who perished in that conflict,” 10th ID commander Maj. Gen. Alvin Luzon told reporters yesterday.
Luzon led the commemoration on Saturday with a wreath-laying in Heroes Memorial Park at Camp General Manuel Yan Sr. in Mawab, Davao de Oro. — John Unson