188 members of threat groups neutralised in central Mindanao
These include communist and religious terrorists.
MAGUINDANAO DEL NORTE: At least 188 members of threat groups including terror outfits have been neutralised by the Philippine military in central Mindanao since January this year, said an army official.
During the same period, 486 guns were also recovered and surrendered to the army’s 6th Infantry Division (6ID) field units, said 6ID commander and Joint Task Force Central (JTFC) chief Maj. Gen. Alex Rillera in a statement.
Rillera described the achievement as a "remarkable feat" by military units in the provinces of Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato, parts of Sarangani, North Cotabato and Lanao del Sur.
Rillera said the radical groups “encompass a range of affiliations and ideologies, posing threats to the security and progress of local communities.”
To date, he said the 6ID neutralised 49 communist rebels and saw a notable decline in activities of the communist New People’s Army (NPA).
Of the 49, seven were apprehended, 12 died during armed clashes and 30 decided to renounce violence and reintegrate into mainstream society.
Rillera said the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) terror group also faced a significant blow after one fighter was arrested, 17 died in armed clashes and 101 surrendered to authorities.
The Dawlah Islamiyah terror group also suffered losses with nine of its members rendered ineffective through a combination of arrests, casualties and surrender.
Rillera also said the persistent campaign of the security forces led to the apprehension of 11 members of private armed groups (PAGs).
The series of operations against PAGs also resulted in the confiscation of 213 firearms, crew-served weapons and explosive materials.
Rillera acknowledged the support of local government officials who helped facilitate the surrender of unlicensed guns through the “Balik-Baril Program.”
Some 273 firearms have been handed over to various military units under JTFC from January to August this year.
New chief at antiterror command
Meanwhile, a new chief has taken over leadership at the Western Mindanao Command, an agency at the forefront in the fight against terrorism and insurgency in the southern Philippine region.
Maj. Gen. Steve Crespillo took over the post from Lt. Gen. Roy Galido during a change-of-command ceremony witnessed by armed forces chief Gen. Romeo Brawner at Camp Don Basilio Navarro on Tuesday (Sept. 5).
Brawner commended Galido for providing guidance to ground forces in crushing Abu Sayyaf bandits in Basilan and Sulu provinces.
He said Crespillo and ground forces should now focus their efforts against the remnants of the Dawlah Islamiya and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters terror groups as well as sustain peace and order in Basilan and Sulu.
Brawner said Crespillo is no stranger to his new assignment, having served as brigade commander and senior staff member of 6ID and JTFC in Maguindanao.