Military, police vow all-out support for newly-created Task Force Lanao

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 8): Military, police vow all-out support for newly-created Task Force Lanao

The military and police have thrown their all-out tactical and manpower support for the newly-formed Task Force Lanao in Lanao del Sur province to effectively address terrorism.

The multi-sectoral Task Force Lanao (TFL) was organized by Lanao del Sur’s provincial and local executives to free the province from jihadists, including the Maute Group that has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State.

Commander of the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), Maj. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., said in a radio interview that the task force will be a huge help in enforcing law and order in the province and in addressing misguided Islamic militants in Lanao del Sur.

Lanao del Sur, a component province of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), has 39 towns, one of which -- Butig municipality -- was repeatedly attacked and occupied by the jihadists last year and early this year.

Galvez lauded the local officials for creating the task force.

“It will play a big role in keeping peace in Lanao del Sur," he said. "The Westmincom will support its law enforcement activities, particularly in the security-challenged areas in the province.”

Lanao del Sur provincial information officer, Salma Jayne Tamano, said Governor Bedjoria Soraya Alonto-Adiong and her son Vice Governor Mamintal Adiong Jr. led the launch of the task force in Marawi City.

Composing the task force are representatives of the provincial government, police and military, and Muslim religious leaders who play major roles in prevent radicalism among the millennials in Lanao who are preyed upon by ISIS-inspired recruiters.

An active part of the TFL is the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in ARMM to address the illegal drug trade in the province that continues to proliferate despite the government’s massive drive against hard drug trafficking.

Galvez vowed to prevent the spread of Islamic militants in the province and nearby areas. “We will help Task Force Lanao carry out its peacekeeping missions the best (way) we can,” Galvez said.

ARMM police regional director, Chief Supt. Reuben Sindac, also pledged the necessary manpower and logistical support to TFL.

Sindac named Sr. Supt. Oscar Nantes as leader of the task force.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=978733