Kalinaw News: Joint Task Force Central continues to pursue extremist groups as the situation goes back to normal in Datu Paglas

Posted to Kalinaw News (May 9, 2021): Joint Task Force Central continues to pursue extremist groups as the situation goes back to normal in Datu Paglas

Camp Siongco, Maguindanao – The situation is back to normal hours after government forces thwarted the possible atrocities of Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters under @Karialan in the town of Datu Paglas, Maguindanao on May 8, 2021. Major General Juvymax Uy, Commander of the Joint Task Force Central and 6th Infantry Division, is calling on the public to remain vigilant around their community and report any presence of suspicious individuals to preempt any extremist groups from conducting atrocities against the civilian populace.

Likewise, Major General Uy thanked the residents and local government unit of Datu Paglas for their swift action to inform government security forces about the presence of the extremist groups in their town as early as Friday evening. “The cooperation of the civilian populace and the LGU paved the way for security forces to be proactive in fulfilling their duty and immediately take necessary action against the threat group,” Major General Uy stated.

As early as 10:30 in the morning yesterday, the national highway connecting Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat, and Makilala, North Cotabato were re-opened for public commuters to pass. Likewise, residents who were displaced in the armed clash started to return to their communities on the afternoon of May 8 while the public market and other establishments resumed operation on the same day, to allow Muslim residents in the said town to prepare for their observance of the Holy Month of Ramadan.

The leadership of the JTF Central and LGU Datu Paglas reiterated that no hostage-taking happened and no infrastructure and establishments in the town proper were damaged, contrary to the earlier information being circulated. Further, the JTF Central also clarifies that the video of a wounded soldier being shared on social media did not happen in Datu Paglas. “Sa awa ng Dyos, wala namang sibilyan sa lugar at mga tropa ng gobyerno ang nasaktan sa pangyayari,” Major General Uy added.

Reports from the civilian populace also state that BIFF suffered several casualties on the exchange of fires after sighting several extremists being carried away as they withdraw in the area. Numerous improvised explosive devices were also recovered in the area as extremist groups try to delay pursuing forces by laying IEDs along the road.

As of this report, the government forces continue to conduct pursuit operations against the said group to preempt them from threatening other towns in Maguindanao Province.

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