AFP to use 2-pronged offensive in Mindanao

FILE: Guerrero said more patrols and checkpoints will be conducted in areas known to be infested with communist rebels to deter terrorist actions. (Photo: Armed Forces of the Philippines/Facebook)

MANILA— With a year-long extension of martial law in Mindanao, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will be intensifying operations against the New People’s Army and terrorist groups operating in the region.

The announcement was made by AFP chief-of-staff Gen. Rey Leonardo Guerrero in a briefing at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on Friday, saying residents should expect military operations intensified in scope and coverage.

“When I mentioned focused, I meant yung focus sa buong Mindanao and yung priority natin sa eastern Mindanao side is yung NPA, while on the western Mindanao ang priority ng Mindanao is yung remnants ng ISIS threat” (When I mentioned focused, I meant that the focus of the operation is on the entire Mindanao and the priority will be on Eastern Mindanao for anti-NPA operations while on Western Mindanao, the concentration will be on remnants of the ISIS threat), said Guerrero.

Guerrero said more patrols and checkpoints will be conducted in areas known to be infested with communist rebels to deter terrorist actions.

The AFP chief said the Philippines’ ongoing unilateral, bilateral, and trilateral arrangements with neighboring countries will enhance troops’ maritime awareness especially in the country’s southern borders.

Guerrero was referring to the recently signed trilateral cooperative agreement with Indonesia and Malaysia in the Sulu Sea and the bilateral agreement with Indonesia in the Celebes Sea.

The agreements have greatly reduced kidnapping incidents as only 11 have been recorded this year compared to the 36 or 37 posted in 2016.