AFP-CRS chief Joselito Kakilala,photographed by Jaime Sinapit
With or without travel advisories, the military establishment, together with the police, are always on alert and vigilant against lawlessness and terrorism wherever in Mindanao there are peace spoilers and bandits, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman and Civil Relations Service (CRS) chief Brig. Gen. Joselito Kakilala asserted Friday.
Kakilala expressed the pronouncement to journalists following a travel advisory issued by the United States for its citizens living and staying in the country to avoid some parts of southern Mindanao because of perceived terrorist threats.
"The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the risks of travel to the Philippines, in particular to the Sulu Archipelago, certain regions and cities of the island of Mindanao, and the southern Sulu Sea area," the US State Department warned.
It said there are threats of violence and of kidnapping of international travelers including bombing.
"U.S. citizens should continue to exercise extreme caution if considering travel in the southern Sulu Sea region from the southern tip of Palawan, along the coast of Sabah, Malaysia and the islands of the Sulu Archipelago, up to Zamboanga City, Mindanao," it said.
"There have been no reports of U.S. citizens in Mindanao targeted specifically for their nationality; however, general threats to U.S. citizens and other foreigners throughout Mindanao remain a concern," it added.
The US particularly mentioned the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) as a potential threat in Cotabato City, Maguindanao, North Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat.
But Kakilala said the military has no confirmatory report yet regarding specific threats.
"Our calibrated and focused operations against the BIFF in Maguindanao are uninterrupted. Our troops in the 6th Infantry Division, together with the local police, have been successful in preventing the remnants of the BIFF from coming back and mingling with civilian communities. Many of their leaders and members were killed, some captured and already in various jails," Kakilala said.
The same mode of operation was being implemented to counter the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in Sulu and Basilan, he said.
Col. Alan Arrojado, commander of the Joint Task Group Sulu, said his troops were pressing attacks against bandits still holding some local and foreign captives.
"Slowly but surely, we'll get them as they fall one by one. During our focused operations, our troops are very careful because their top priority is the safe rescue of all the kidnap victims," Arrojado said.
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/110977/afp-were-always-vigilant-vs-terrorism-in-mindanao
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