Several Mindanao areas placed under red alert amid possible BIFF retaliation
COTABATO CITY – Government security forces in various Mindanao areas were on red alert for possible retaliatory moves by militants in the wake of the reported death of Malaysian terrorist Zulkfli Bin Hir, more notoriously known as Marwan, during the January 25 Mamasapano incident.
Capt. Jo-anne Petinglay, spokesperson of the military’s 6th Infantry Division based in Maguindanao, said they were monitoring the movement of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).
“Our move was meant to contain the situation and for us to prevent armed men from launching attacks,” she said.
In the province of Sultan Kudarat, troops were also alerted following sightings of armed men in the hinterlands of Isulan, Esperanza and Tacurong City, according to Senior Supt. Junie Buenacosa, the chief of the Tacurong police.
“Our place is close to Maguindanao and these people might sow terror here. We have strengthened our visibility,” Supt. Joefel Siason, the Isulan town police chief, said.
North Cotabato Gov. Emmylou Mendoza-Taliño said police and military units in her province were also in heightened alert for possible retaliatory move by the BIFF and other armed groups.
Just two days after the Mamasapano incident, two suspected bombers were killed in Pikit, North Cotabato when the bomb they were carrying prematurely exploded, Senior Insp. Sindatu Karim, the town’s police chief.
Karim said investigation showed that Asraf Mohammad and Jomar Palaguyan, both of Pikit, trained under Marwan and Abdul Basit Usman.
“Witnesses said Asraf, 28 was driving the motorbike and Palaguyan, who was backriding, was carrying a box on his lap around 6:20 p.m. Tuesday shortly before they were blasted to death,” Karim said.
A bystander was injured in the explosion.
Karim said bomb experts recovered fragments of a 60 millimeter mortar shell and piece of what used to be a mobile phone from the blast site.
“The bomb was similar to all other bombs set off in various parts of Mindanao,” Karim said. “It has the signature of Marwan and Basit Usman.”
In Davao City, the entire police force in Southern Mindanao is also on red alert, according to regional police spokesperson Supt. Antonio Rivera.
“The alert level is important to thwart any spill over of the PNP-SAF clashes with MILF and BIFF groups,” he said.
Lt. Gen. Aurelio Baladad, chief of the Eastern Military Command, said checkpoints had been strengthened all over the region – including “ingress and egress points.”
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