By Priam F. Nepomuceno
MANILA,
Aug. 6 (PNA) - Despite the series of attacks by renegade elements of
the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) headed by commander Umbra Kato
on various military detachments in Maguindanao, the Armed Forces of the
Philippines (AFP) assures it is still on top of the security situation
in the area.
Major Emmanuel Garcia, acting AFP spokesperson, said that the harassment antics conducted by Kato's "Bangsamoro Islamic Fighters Movement" (BIFM) had been stopped after quick and decisive action of military units in the area.
"Despite some tensions, the situation is now returning to normal. Our forces are told to undertake 'active defense posture' to secure themselves and their camps from another attack," he said.
Garcia also denied reports that Kato's men held hostage a community near Ampatuan while making their getaway.
"There is no such thing, our security forces have total control of Ampatuan and other Maguindanao towns," he added.
He also declined to comment on whether the AFP's intelligence services were at fault for failing to give word on the attack, adding that such sudden assaults were done to off-balance defending forces.
"But despite that, our troops were able to hold their ground and drive away the attackers," Garcia said.
Attacked in Sunday's 11:30 p.m. assault were the 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade headquarters in Shariff Aguak, three battalion headquarters deployed in Shariff Aguak; Datu Unsay, and Datu Ampatuan and their various sub-units scattered also in the above-mentioned localities.
Major Emmanuel Garcia, acting AFP spokesperson, said that the harassment antics conducted by Kato's "Bangsamoro Islamic Fighters Movement" (BIFM) had been stopped after quick and decisive action of military units in the area.
"Despite some tensions, the situation is now returning to normal. Our forces are told to undertake 'active defense posture' to secure themselves and their camps from another attack," he said.
Garcia also denied reports that Kato's men held hostage a community near Ampatuan while making their getaway.
"There is no such thing, our security forces have total control of Ampatuan and other Maguindanao towns," he added.
He also declined to comment on whether the AFP's intelligence services were at fault for failing to give word on the attack, adding that such sudden assaults were done to off-balance defending forces.
"But despite that, our troops were able to hold their ground and drive away the attackers," Garcia said.
Attacked in Sunday's 11:30 p.m. assault were the 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade headquarters in Shariff Aguak, three battalion headquarters deployed in Shariff Aguak; Datu Unsay, and Datu Ampatuan and their various sub-units scattered also in the above-mentioned localities.
Initial reports said two rebels and a civilian were killed and four militiamen were hurt in the assaults. (PNA)
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