(Eagle News) — Authorities are strengthening maritime security to ensure that no militant will make it to other provinces through bodies of water.
Brigadier General Gilbert Gapay, martial law spokesperson in the Eastern Mindanao Command, said there were in particular six border stations covering the country’s backdoor.
“(The strengthening of maritime security) is done in coordination with other government agencies–the Bureau of Immigration, Coastguard, Bureau of Customs, Philippine National Police, and other local government units and other concerned government agencies,” he said.
He said they have also organized “counterterrorist forces” in those areas “similar to the one we have” to ensure that no local terrorist will leave Marawi.
The military earlier said they were still verifying reports Isnilon Hapilon, an Abu Sayyaf subleader who claims to be the emir of the international terrorist group Islamic State in Southeast Asia, had slipped out of the war-torn city.
Gapay said Task Force Davao, and Task Force CDO for Cagayan de Oro, among others, have been activated.
“We have initiated (various measures) to curb extremism in Eastern Mindanao,” Gapay said.
