CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao — The Army’s 6th Infantry Division (ID) and the Police Regional Office for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PRO-ARMM) on Monday forged a collaboration to ensure their areas of jurisdiction are safe from terrorism.
Military and police officials who have operating troops on common areas of jurisdiction signed the Joint Implementation Plan (Implan) to address bombing incidents in areas of the ARMM.
Maj. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, 6ID commander, and Chief Supt. Graciano Mijares, PRO-ARMM regional director, signed the Implan on Monday (Oct. 29) at this camp, which is the 6th ID headquarters.
Maj. Arvin John Encinas, speaking for the 6th ID, said the Implan provides for the guidelines and procedures to be undertaken by PRO-ARMM and 6ID in coordination with other law enforcement units, government agencies, and local government units to reduce the incidents and vulnerability of ARMM from terror bomb attacks.
“It also includes actions to be taken in case of improvised explosive device explosion,” Encinas said.
PRO-ARMM covers the provinces of Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur where the 6th ID operating units are also deployed. Bombings believed to have been carried out by the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) have occurred mostly in Maguindanao and parts of Lanao del Sur.
BIFF, which pledges allegiance to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, are operating mostly in the second district of Maguindanao and had set off bombs targeting both civilians and military personnel. (Edwin Fernandez/PNA)
