Execs support new security pact between police and 6th ID

MAGUINDANAO --- The provincial peace and order council in Maguindanao promised to support the newly-crafted joint security pact of the Regional Police Office-Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and Army’s 6thInfantry Division.The presiding chairperson of the inter-agency council, Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu, told this news outfit Wednesday his office will help the police and military achieve the objectives of the compact.The PRO-ARMM and 6thID forged last week that security deal focused on securing areas vulnerable to bomb attacks by local Islamic State-inspired blocs.Major Gen. Cirilito Sobejana of the 6thID and Chief Supt. Graciano Mijares of PRO-ARMM signed the agreement at Camp Siongco in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao. The PPOC will help the PRO-ARM and 6th ID achieve the objectives of that security cooperation agreement. That certainly is good for Maguindanao province, Mangudadatu said.The 6thID and PRO-ARMM are bracing for possible attacks by outlawed groups operating in the fashion of the Islamic State following the surrender in recent months of more than 20 militants through the intercession of local officials.Units of 6thID had also neutralized since January more than 30 terrorists in encounters in Maguindanao and North Cotabato.The security pact enjoins the 6thID and PRO-ARMM to impose joint security measures meant to restrain outlawed groups, such as the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, the Maute and the Ansar Al-Khilafa from moving around Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur.The BIFF, operating in the fashion of the Islamic State, is blamed for all bombings in central Mindanao since 2010.The group, which has three factions, is operating mainly in Maguindanao and in nearby Sultan Kudarat and North Cotabato provinces, both in Region 12.The Region 12 police in General Santos City and the Army’s 10thInfantry Division also crafted a similar joint security accord on Tuesday.The agreement was signed by the Region 12 police director,Chief Supt. Eliseo Tam Rasco, and Major Gen. Noel Clement of the 10th Infantry Division.ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman said Wednesday he will task the regional local government department to study measures on how they can complement the newly-crafted security agreement between the police command in the autonomous region and the 6thID. We will not hesitate to support such security initiative, Hataman said.