Military tightens cross-border stations in Mindanao to prevent spillover of Marawi conflict

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Friday said it will enhance its existing security measures in Mindanao as it assured the public that there will be no spillover of the Maute group’s terror attack outside Marawi City.

In a press conference, Eastern Mindanao Command deputy commander and Mindanao martial law spokesperson Brig. Gen. Gilbert Gapay said the military has “continuously prevented the spillover or spread of the Marawi crisis in our area of responsibility.”

“To sustain the prevailing security situation, our efforts are now geared in enhancing the existing security measures...We are strengthening maritime security and enhancing our border-crossing stations,” Gapay said, noting that two of the six cross-border stations are in Eastern Mindanao.

Gapay said the tightened border control is an inter-agency effort together with the Bureau of Immigration, Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of Customs, Philippine National Police, local government units, and other concerned government agencies.

Gapay said the military is also set to activate other task forces against counterterrorism in key Eastern Mindanao cities, similar to Task Force Davao and Task Force Oro.

He said the military has to date “shielded” Eastern Mindanao from terrorist attacks and deterred “diversionary, retaliatory or sympathetic attacks” by other local terrorist groups.

He said they have denied terrorists from making our safe haven - their safe havens, sanctuaries, and even as transit points and that so far Eastern Mindanao remains generally peaceful, safe, and secure.

Meanwhile, presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said even as the military operations against the Maute group continue, consultations for the rehabilitation of the strife-torn city got off the ground.

“Interagency meetings and consultations preparatory to the rehabilitation, reconstruction and rebuilding of Marawi when hostilities end have begun and are ongoing,” Abella said.

For now, the Palace official said military operations are still focused on clearing Marawi of terrorists, and rescuing trapped residents and civilians held hostage.

Gapay was optimistic that Marawi will soon be cleared of terrorists “slowly but surely.” —KBK/KVD, GMA News