Central Mindanao on alert vs terrorist retaliation

COTABATO CITY, Philippines — Security measures in Central Mindanao have been intensified since Monday in preparation for a possible retaliation by terrorist group Dawlah Islamiya, which lost 23 members in recent military offensives and clashes with the  Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

The Dawlah Islamiya is known for staging bomb attacks in public places to avenge the deaths of its members in encounters with the police and military.

Brig. Gen. Alex Rillera, chief of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, told journalists yesterday that soldiers manning roadside detachments in provinces under the jurisdiction of the 6ID are on a heightened alert against the terrorists.

Foot patrols have been intensified as part of the military’s effort to thwart any retaliatory attack by the terror group.

“We are not taking chances. Our security preparations are supported by local officials, the MILF and the MNLF,” Rillera said, referring to the Moro National Liberation Front.

Local government units in Pikit, Cotabato as well as nearby Pagalungan and Montawal towns in Maguindanao del Sur are providing relief support to villagers displaced by the encounters.

Residents fled after the terrorists shot dead several villagers, in response to the Army’s bombardment of a bandit camp located near the Liguasan Delta on Friday.

On Saturday, eight MILF combatants were killed in a series of firefights in Pagalungan. Nine terrorists were also killed in the ensuing clashes.

Rillera and Brig. Gen. Allan Nobleza, Bangsamoro police director, said the Army received more surrender feelers from members of the Dawlah Islamiya following the skirmishes in Pagalungan.