MALACAÑANG said Wednesday that there was no need to
deploy more troops to Mindanao following the series of bombings that hit
southern Philippines.
But intelligence gathering will be heightened after the explosions in Cagayan de Oro City, Cotabato City, North Cotabato and Maguindanao during the past two weeks killing at least 17 people and injuring several others.
"We have several commands already in Mindanao. So, whether we want to add more troops, we have lots of soldiers there already. It's the intelligence gatherings. We will wait for the inputs from the intel agencies," Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a press briefing.
In a text message later in the day quoting Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff General Emmanuel Bautista, he said, "we have enough troops in Mindanao and there is no reason to increase deployment."
Lacierda assured that the government is doing everything to protect the people of Mindanao.
"We assure the public that we are looking into all these situations," he said.
The investigation for the attacks in Cagayan de Oro City, Cotabato City, Midsayap in North Cotabato, and Shariff Aguak in Maguindanao are currently ongoing and the government expects results soon, he said.
"They are all going to be investigated. The Cagayan de Oro blast is being investigated right now. This morning's bombing in Midsayap and also in Shariff Aguak will also be investigated. We're asking for updates from the PNP (Philippine National Police) and AFP," Lacierda said.
President Benigno Aquino III held a Cabinet security cluster meeting on Tuesday to discuss the spate of bombings in Mindanao.
Aquino meanwhile will proceed with his trip to Davao City on Thursday to grace the Mindanao Business Forum.
"Yes, the meeting tomorrow with the Davao businessmen will push through. They will discuss about the situation in Davao in his meeting with the business people there in Mindanao. So there's no contrary notice given so far," Lacierda said.
But Presidential Security Group (PSG) commander, Brigadier General Ramon Mateo Dizon said extra precautions would be implemented.
"Let's just say that I've given instructions to PSG commanders to take extra precautions in all presidential engagements...we are going to be extra vigilant," he told reporters in a text message.
However, he said that in order not to cause panic
among the people in Davao City, the security measures would be "mostly behind
the scene."
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