Military in Mindanao sets up anti-terrorism text campaign

Source: bworld online

ZAMBOANGA CITY — The military has launched yesterday an anti-terrorism hotline via text messaging, Major Gen. Benjamin D. Dolorfino, Western Mindanao Command chief, said, to empower the public in the campaign.

"Security authorities with the help of the civilians could not be complacent about the threat of terrorism," he said.

The anti-terrorism hotline — 0928-994-4361 — is being manned round the clock by a military unit.

Mr. Dolorfino said the information will be treated with strictest of confidence. The campaign, called "I-text Mo Ang Terrorista Kay Sarge," was launched amid a series of activities in line with the city’s celebration of Fiesta Pilar this month.

Task Force Zamboanga, which operated against lawless groups, earlier raised the security level to prevent any untoward incident during the celebration.

In recent weeks, the military has stepped up efforts to eliminate the bandits in the neighboring island-provinces of Basilan and Sulu. Almost 30 combatants from both sides, including two American soldiers, have been killed during recent hostilities.

Mr. Dolorfino said they are taking extra measures, including setting up the hotline, to avert the spillover of the armed conflict to the city and the rest of Mindanao.

The military has said militant groups launch attacks in other areas to divert military operations against them.

Lt. Col. Romeo S. Brawner, Jr. spokesman of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, said that soldiers, particularly those stationed in Sulu, are bracing for more attacks from the Abu Sayyaf group after a series of ambushes on military detachments and roadside bombings in recent days.

He said they have augmented troops to protect civilians from bandit attacks.

The attacks came after the military overran the bandits’ main camp during the celebration of Eid’l Fitr on Sept. 20, killing at least 17 militants. — Darwin T. Wee