By NITZ ARANCON
Correspondent
ARMY and police officials here yesterday said they have not discounted the possibility of Abu Sayyaf attacks in northern Mindanao, and they have intensified intelligence gathering operations in the region in order to thwart the militant group.
The officials said this as the military beefed up troops in Sulu following clashes between government and Abu Sayyaf forces. President Duterte has ordered the Armed Forces to go after and finish off the militant group.
Camp Alagar spokesman Supt. Surki Sereñas said that while the Abu Sayyaf has not been operating in Region 10, the government offensives in Sulu could force the militant group into carrying out diversionary attacks in other parts of Mindanao so as to distract the attention of the government.
Capt. Joe Patrick Martinez, spokesman of the 4th Infantry Division, said military intelligence operatives have “doubled” their efforts to prevent any attempt to launch attacks in the region.
Martinez said Camp Evangelista was closely coordinating with Camp Alagar, and have been sharing intelligence information.
He said there was also a need for civilians in communities to help by providing useful information to authorities.
Martinez cited last year’s capture of Abu Sayyaf members in Agusan del Sur which he attributed to information provided by civilians.
He said the Sulu situation poses a threat to Region 10 and other areas in the country, prompting the the 4th ID to step up preemptive measures in the region.
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