Security tightened vs terrorists
COTABATO CITY — As Christmas Day draws nearer, authorities are tightly securing Christian worship sites near Pagalungan, Maguindanao where the Dawlah Islamiya attacked and plundered a barangay more than a week ago apparently to avenge their losing 12 members in clashes with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
Mayors in Cotabato and Gov. Emmylou T. Mendoza, units of the Police Regional Office 12, and the Army’s 602nd Infantry Brigade are coordinating their security deployments at Christian worship sites to ensure a peaceful holiday season.
To prevent potential incidents, security forces are also monitoring the surroundings of mosques, recognizing the terrorists’ tendency to create scenarios to sow discord between Muslims and Christians. Several towns in Cotabato are in close proximity to Pagalungan, where encounters between Dawlah Islamiya and pursuing MILF members displaced around 2,000 Moro families.
Dawlah Islamiya, known for venting anger on innocent people following clashes, faces coordinated efforts from the police, Army, MILF, and leaders of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF). Major Gen. Alex S. Rillera, commander of the 6th Infantry Division, highlighted the importance of local government support in Cotabato province, emphasizing collaboration with the MNLF and MILF to guard against potential Dawlah Islamiya incursions during the Yuletide Holidays. — John Felix M. Unson
