Military, PNP forge plan to stop ARMM bombings

• Source: https://www.manilatimes.net/military-pnp-forge-plan-to-stop-armm-bombings/460362/
• Saturday, November 3, 2018

(The Manila Times)

COTABATO CITY: The Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines signed a Joint Implementation Plan (Implan) to address bombing incidents in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and the Soccsksargen (South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos) region.

Chief Supt. Eliseo Tam Rasco, Police Regional Office 12 (PRO-12) director, and Maj. Gen. Noel Clement, commander of the 10th Infantry Division (10ID), vowed joint forces in fighting the enemies on the ground.

“By laying down the means to support law enforcement operations through crafting necessary platform to address any form of violence with the aid of a sound and effective Implan, the Philippine Army and PRO-12 police could secure and protect the people in the community against terrorism and violent extremism,” Rasco said.

Similarly, Major Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, 6th Infantry Division (6ID) commander, and Chief Supt. Graciano Mijares, director for PRO-ARMM, signed the Implan during simple ceremonies at the 6ID headquarters on Tuesday.

Major John Arvin Encinas, 6ID spokesman, said Implan provides the guidelines and procedures PRO-ARMM and 6ID will follow in coordination with other law enforcement units, government agencies and local government units to reduce the incidence of violence and lessen the vulnerability of ARMM to improvised explosive device (IED) attacks.

Encinas said Implan details the action to be taken in case of an IED bombing.

The blasts, believed being carried out by the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), have occurred mostly in Maguindanao and parts of Lanao del Sur.

The BIFF, which pledge allegiance to the Islamic State, operates mostly in the second district of Maguindanao and sets off bombs targeting both civilians and military personnel.

Supt. Aldrin Gonzales, spokesman for PRO-12, described the agreement as “another leap for the AFP and the PNP towards a milestone in achieving success in its law enforcement operations.”