Cascolan eyes ‘focused units’ to help eradicate terrorism in BARMM

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Camilo Pancratius Cascolan is planning to establish focused units which will ensure that peace and order is maintained in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

In a budget hearing on Thursday, Lanao del Norte Representative Mohamad Khalid Dimaporo asked the police force how it will strengthen security in the region where most terror attacks happen, including explosions perpetrated by suicide bombers.

In response, Cascolan said focused units would address criminality, insurgency, and terrorism in BARMM.

"The PNP is reforming its organization, with the approval of the directive of the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government, we will come up with focused units [in] our fight against criminality, insurgency, and most especially terrorism which always happens, most especially in the BARMM area," Cascolan said.

"We are coming up with a focused unit on anti-terrorism to be led by no other than the intelligence group of which they will be using specialized special action forces in this activity," he added.

The PNP chief explained that focused units for anti-criminality will be handled by police regional offices while those for counter-insurgency will be under the Directorate for Integrated Police Offices.

Cascolan also said the PNP would develop police facilities in BARMM and monitor the work performance of the cops.

For his part, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said the agency is always ensuring that there is enough personnel and resources to secure the region.

He mentioned that Special Action Force commandos have been deployed to specific areas following the deadly explosions last month.

Twin explosions happened in Jolo, Sulu on August 24, which killed 15 individuals and hurt over 70 others.

Authorities said the attacks were perpetrated by two female Asians. The military had said the Abu Sayyaf was behind the blasts. — RSJ, GMA News