AFP downplays terror threat in Mindanao

MANILA, Philippines - The military on Thursday said measures are in place to ensure the safety of everyone in the country in the wake of fresh terror warnings issued by Canada and Australia to their citizens.

Armed Forces public affairs chief Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala said they are undertaking security operations to thwart any threat that could harm public safety.

“We want to assure them that even without this warning, we continue our security operations in the area and we protect not only foreigners but (also) Filipinos,” Zagala said.

Zagala said security forces have formed task groups to secure areas in Mindanao considered as “hotspots.”

“We recognize that these areas have threats and that’s the reason why task forces and task groups are created. They are there to (maintain) a secured environment. They are  organized there to serve as a deterrent,” he said.

Zagala said they have not detected threats that could affect the security environment. He, nevertheless, noted that Australia and Canada have the right to issue security warnings to their citizens.

“We respect the decision of both Australia and Canada to warn their citizens (against) going to such areas they perceive as danger zones. They have the right to protect their citizens and they have the right to warn their citizens if there is danger that is lurking,” Zagala said.

Canada and Australia have warned their citizens against traveling to parts of Mindanao due to fresh terrorism and kidnapping threats.

Australia urged its diplomats  to stay away from Davao, Cotabato and Zamboanga while Canada warned its citizens of “serious threat of terrorist attacks and kidnapping.”

Members of the Abu Sayyaf, a group of bandits that has links to international terror cell al Qaeda, are still residing in Mindanao even as officials have claimed that their capabilities have been depleted.

Communist insurgents tagged in extortion, kidnapping and attacks against civilians are also operating in the eastern part of the island.