Another Army battalion has been deployed in Maguindanao to
help the military quell terrorism and ensure peace and development in poor
communities.
Capt. Joann Petinglay, speaking for the 6th Infantry
"Kampilan" Division, today said the 6th ID welcomed the 34th Infantry
"Reliable" Battalion of 8th Infantry Division as they arrived in Camp Siongco
Brig General Manolito P Orense AFP, assistant division
commander, led the "Kampilan" troopers in welcoming the newly
deployed unit from Samar province.
The battalion under Lt Colonel Edgar K. delos Reyes, will
augment Army and Philippine Marine units in the 6th ID’s efforts of maintaining
peace and security in its area of responsibility that covers the provinces of
Maguindanao and parts of North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Lanao del Sur
provinces.
The deployment marks the start of the holding phase wherein
government forces will establish encampments in former lairs of the Bangsamoro
Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in order to prevent armed lawless group from
going back to said areas.
It will further pave the way for the implementation of
various developmental projects in the different communities in 6ID’s AOR.
During his recent visit here, AFP chief Gen. Gregorio Pio
Catapang said the military is implementing "hold-consolidate-develop"
strategy where the Army takes hold of the communities infiltrated by the
lawless Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and international
terrorists, consolidate projects and develop communities previously under the
lawless elements' control.
With the deployment of 34th IB, the 6th ID now has five
brigades or about 14 battalions of Army and Marines deployed in the provinces
of Maguindanao, North Cotabato and Sultan
Kudarat.
Petinglay said the law enforcement operations are still on
going in Maguinanao but admitted it has slowed down the past five days.
The Army claimed to have killed at least 110 BIFF and
wounded 33 others while it suffered six fatalities, including a captain of the
Army Scout Rangers and 29 others wounded.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=746715
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