THE MILITARY and police have recently foiled bomb threats and seized firearms from terror groups as security operations are beefed up for the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) plebiscite on Jan. 21 and Feb. 6. “The focus of our operations is in connection with the upcoming Bangsamoro plebiscite. We want to preempt the threat groups who plan to interrupt the event,” Major Arvin John Encinas, spokesperson of the 6th Infantry Division, said in a phone interview with BusinessWorld. Over the weekend and this week, the Western Mindanao Command reported a foiled bomb plot in Sultan Kudarat after seizing “anti-personnel mines” and triggering devices, and the seizure of various weapons in Maguindanao from alleged members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF). Five members of the BIFF led by Commander Mayogantong Bansil also surrendered and turned over their firearms.
COTABATO CITY
Mr. Encinas said they have also augmented manpower in Cotabato City following the Dec. 31 bombing incidents. The city has also been placed under the control of the Commission on Elections. “Two division recon company were added for Cotabato City as a force multiplier. Aside from that, there are five battalions who are securing the area,” he said. A provisional battalion will also be deployed during the voting day on Jan. 21. Meanwhile, Cotabato City Mayor Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi, in an interview with BusinessWorld on Tuesday evening, said security forces captured a suspected member of the Islamic State group last Jan. 15. “Special Investigation Task Group captured a member of ISIS involved in the Davao City bombing earlier. If he was not captured, he may have started another bombing (here) since he was armed with a grenade at the time of the capture,” Ms. Sayadi said. — Tajallih S. Basman

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