Water transport banned as hunt vs ISIS continues

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 29): Water transport banned as hunt vs ISIS continues

Military authorities in Maguindanao Tuesday advised the public to avoid using water transportation in tributaries and rivers as the Army and Moro rebels have continued manhunt against ISIS-inspired group.

Lt. Col. Jerry Besana, commander of the 6th Civil Military Operations (CMO) Battalion based here, said transport of goods and people in Rio Grande de Mindanao in the Liguasan Marsh could be dangerous following reports that the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) Abdulmalik faction has planned to use civilians as human shields.

The Army has been conducting sustained military operations in the towns of Datu Salibo, Sharif Saydona and Datu Piang since last week.

“Please advise everyone that water transportation in the vicinity and adjoining municipalities of Datu Salibo, Shariff Saydona and Datu Piang will be restricted,” Besana said in a statement.

“This action is being implemented for the safety of civilians,” he said, adding “we will continue our efforts in fighting the insurgents in order to disrupt the group that threatens the security operations.”

Government forces and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) that signed a peace deal with the government, have continued their manhunt operation.

The MILF first clashed with the ISIS-flag carrying armed group in Datu Salibo when the outlawed group tried to encroach into MILF identified communities by setting off several improvised bombs.

More than 50 people have been killed from both sides since the clashes between former comrades erupted three weeks ago. Dozens were also injured.

Among the dead was the son of BIFF faction leader Esmael Abulmalik known as “Commander Torayfe.”

Under the 1997 ceasefire agreement between the government and MILF, the rebel group must help the government get rid of terrorists in communities identified with the MILF.

For the past two weeks, the MILF had been pursuing the ISIS-flag carrying armed group, led by Esmael Abdulmalik of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in Maguindanao’s second district.

According to Abu Amir, the BIFF Imam Karialan faction, Abdulmalik was injured in a clash with MILF Task Force Ittihad (Unity).

Senior Supt. Agustin Tello, Maguindanao police director, said the police have been helping the MILF in locating the BIFF/ISIS group.

Tello said police and military authorities in Maguindanao have been placed on heightened alert to thwart possible retaliatory attacks from Abdulmalik’s group.

Abdulmalik was one of the lieutenants of slain Malaysian bomb expert Zulkifli bin Hir alias “Marwan” who was killed in police operations in Mamasapano, Maguindanao in 2015.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1007849