Soldiers, armored carriers deployed in Maguindanao

CAMP SIONGCO, Datu Odin Sunsuat, Maguindanao – Soldiers in full-battle gear and backed by armored vehicles have been deployed on highways in Maguindanao, including those near the hideout of Ameril Umra Kato, a military spokesperson confirmed Wednesday.

Col. Prudencio Asto, spokesperson of the 6th Infantry Division, said the deployment of troops was not an indication that they were preparing an assault against Kato’s group but part of efforts to minimize threats of more bombings in the wake of recent series of roadside explosions.

Asto said the deployments started on Monday and were being made in the municipalities of Datu Unsay, Datu Saudi, Shariff Aguak, Datu Hofer and Guindulungan towns, all of which are near  Kato’s Camp Omar. Kato broke away from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and now heads the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement and its armed wing, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.

Some local leaders, who spoke on condition of anonymity, noted that the deployment coincided with intelligence reports that suspected terrorist Basit Usman had joined Kato’s group. Usman has been linked to the Jemaah Islamiya and has been blamed for previous bomb attacks in several Mindanao areas.

Last year, he was reportedly killed during a US drone strike on an al-Qaeda base Pakistan but Philippine military officials said the report had never been verified.

“The soldiers along the highways are part of preventive measures employed by the military in the face of continuous threats of bombing, especially roadside bombing,” Asto said.

Asto said the intelligence report about Usman hiding in Maguindanao, especially inside Kato’s camp, has not been verified so far.

“We are still validating that report. The military is helping the police locate Usman if he is in our area,” Asto said.

Kato told the Inquirer by phone that he did not even know Usman.

“I do not know him, he is not with us,” he said in Filipino.

Kato also said his group would defend its position in the event of any attack.