PNP beefs up security in Maguindanao town
MANILA, Philippines — Police have stepped up security in Datu Odin Sinsuat town in Maguindanao del Norte where over 5,200 people fled their homes after armed men attacked their communities last month.
Col. Jean Fajardo, public information officer of the Philippine National Police, said yesterday troops from the regional mobile force battalion and provincial mobile force companies were deployed to Datu Odin Sinsuat to deter armed men from harassing residents.
“We established checkpoints and border controls to prevent these incidents,” Fajardo said at a news briefing.
Fajardo said the suspects, who belong to an unidentified group, first stormed the town on July 16 and fired their guns in the air, which scared residents.
More armed men returned to the area on July 25, police said.
Fajardo said an investigation is ongoing to identify the perpetrators of the attacks.
The municipal government earlier appealed for additional security forces after the attacks in Barangays Mompong, Linek, Badak and Kusiong.
Mayor Lester Sisunat said 859 families or 5,274 people from the four barangays were evacuated.
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