Assures public gov’t troops have taken “proactive measures” to ensure security there
(Eagle News) — The military on Friday said Maute members may have traveled to Iligan and Cagayan de Oro, but assured the public they have already taken “proactive measures” to ensure security there.
“We have coordinated with local governments and other security partners (so they can) heighten their security posture,” Brigadier General Restituto Padilla, Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson, told reporters during the Mindanao Hour briefing.
Padilla added that Maute’s “capabilities” have been “downgraded.”
As such, he said they “do not have the capacity to do what they can do in Marawi.”
“Wreak havoc, destroy homes..That’s what they did (in Marawi). Any kind of action of that extent will not happen in Iligan and Cagayan de Oro,” he said.
Padilla also noted that security in the country was a “shared responsibility” among the public, the military and the police.
“Every part should be partly responsible for watching over their surroundings and cooperating with government,” Padilla emphasized.
Efforts to rescue civilians
He said so far, “less than 1000” civilians–around 600–were trapped in the city, where fighting between government troops and members of the local terrorist group erupted weeks ago.
The fighting began after members of the Maute group overran parts of the city, hoping to carve out a province for the international terrorist group Islamic State.
He said that while “many humanitarian attempts” have been “unsuccessful,” there were efforts to reach the civilians “via text messaging and loud speakers” so they could be given directions that will allow them to escape to safety.
“We hope to have more of these kinds of incidents (successful rescue of civilians) as we pursue these attempts,” he said.
