From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 25): Army revives Task Force Kutawato to help fight terrorism, drugs
To help fight terrorism, kidnapping and illegal drugs, the Army's 6th Infantry Division reactivated Tuesday Task Force Kutawato (TFK).
Major Gen. Arnel dela Vega, 6th Infantry Division commander, designated Colonel Jose Gongona as Task Force Kutawato commander.
The Army-led task force will be augmented by Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit.
“This is in line with the AFP’s development support and security plan as suggested by President (Rodrigo) Duterte,” dela Vega told reporters.
A similar task force was established here in the 1990s during the height of kidnapping for ransom cases by former Moro rebels turned bandits that victimized Filipino-Chinese traders.
Dela Vega said the creation of TFK will help the city police in securing the city, whose economy has been growing steadily the past five years.
Cotabato City Mayor Cynthia Guaini-Sayadi lauded the military for the revival of TFK, saying it will boost investors' confidence in the city.
"This is timely, we cannot discount terrorism and criminality to rise as the city's economy has been growing steadily," she added.
Sayadi said the city's security sector should be one step ahead of lawless elements.
Dela Vega said the main component of TFK is the Army's 5th Special Forces Battalion based in the city.
The business community and local officials down to barangay level have thrown its all out support to TFK.
Cotabato City, which has a population 300,000 as of the 2015 census, is within the province of Maguindanao where terror groups operate.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php/articles/982354
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