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Army vows to fight terror groups in C. Mindanao sans ML

By Edwin Fernandez

December 12, 2019, 9:17 am

<p><strong>SUSTAINED FIGHT.</strong> Major General Diosdado Carreon, the Army’s 6th Infantry Division commander and concurrent head of the Joint Task Force Central, says they will continue the heightened fight against terror groups operating in Central Mindanao even of the martial in the island is lifted after on Dec. 31, 2019.<em> (Photo courtesy of 6ID)</em></p>

SUSTAINED FIGHT. Major General Diosdado Carreon, the Army’s 6th Infantry Division commander and concurrent head of the Joint Task Force Central, says they will continue the heightened fight against terror groups operating in Central Mindanao even of the martial in the island is lifted after on Dec. 31, 2019. (Photo courtesy of 6ID)

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao – The chief of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division (ID) vowed to continue to impose stricter security measures to prevent lawless elements from sowing terror even without martial law.

“Our campaign against terrorists, against people in possession of loose firearms and criminals, will continue with or without martial law,” Maj. Gen. Diosdado Carreon told reporters here in an interview on Tuesday.

Carreon, who also heads the Joint Task Force Central (JTFC), made the assurance after President Rodrigo Duterte signified he will no longer seek the extension of martial law in Mindanao after it expires on December 31.

The 6ID 6ID commander said their units will maintain its alert status and strengthen strategies to prevent terrorists from inflicting harm to civilian communities.

The JTFC’s area of operation includes Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat, parts of North Cotabato, parts of Lanao del Sur and the cities of Cotabato and Tacurong.

Carreon said the JTFC will not waver in its efforts to eradicate and put a stop to terror groups such as the Islamic State-linked Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and Dawlah Islamiyah.

Military visibility will continue in crime-prone areas and zones where the IS groups are operating in the region, he said.

Meanwhile, Cotabato City Mayor Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi said that if she had her way, martial law should be retained as it has "helped improve the city’s peace and order situation."

“We, the city officials, want martial law to be retained but will respect the decision of President Rodrigo Duterte,” Guiani-Sayadi added.

The mayor said curfew hours being implemented in the city through a local ordinance has produced good results for the city. The city has been implementing curfew from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. (PNA)

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