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[av_heading heading=’No Maute threat in Region 6 – Army’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA
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Thursday, May 25, 2017
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ILOILO City – The Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) has not monitored any threat to Western Visayas from the Maute terrorist group.
But according to Major General Jon Aying, 3ID commander, the declaration of martial law in Mindanao was favorable to the region.
It would strengthen the government forces’ efforts against the terrorists, he said.
“Some fear that the terrorists might seek refuge in the Visayas because of the military operations in Mindanao. That would be foolhardy for the terrorists to do. They have no civilian support in Western Visayas. Look at what happened to the Abu Sayyaf in Bohol,” said Aying.
He also described as remote the possibility that the conflict in Marawi City would spill over to Western Visayas.
President Rodrigo Duterte placed Mindanao under martial rule late Tuesday night after the Maute group attacked Marawi City.
“There’s nothing to worry. Aside from the fact that Western Visayas is far from Mindanao, we have not monitored threats from the Maute group,” said Aying, “and they do not have sympathizers in the region.”
But he stressed the need to further strengthen the region’s defenses through cooperation among stakeholders such as the military, police, local governments, civilians, and the religious sector, among others.
Aying also emphasized the importance of enhancing the region’s maritime security and the capability of the intelligence community.
“Kun makalusot sa aton maritime security, segurohon naton nga pagtapak nila sa duta sa aton mga isla, ang aton komunidad alerto para mareport agad kag maaksyunan kag ma-cordon sila,” he said.
Fierce clashes erupted Tuesday afternoon between government forces and members of the Maute group, with the military conducting air strikes.
The fighting reportedly sent thousands of residents fleeing while others were locked inside their homes. It happened about two days before the start of the fasting month of Ramadhan.
Marawi City is part of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
Police said the fighting erupted in the villages of Caloocan and Basak Malutlut, near the Lanao del Sur police provincial command and Mindanao State University.
Senior Superintendent Oscar Nantes, Lanao del Sur police provincial director, said the clashes erupted between the Maute group and government forces at about 3 p.m. when a military-backed police team was to serve search warrants against members of the terror group.
Fighting erupted when the Maute group opened fire on personnel from the military’s 103rd Brigade, he said.
Chief Superintendent Reuben Sindac, ARMM regional director, said all police units across Lanao del Sur have been placed on heightened alert against the possible spillover of the fighting./PN
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