Police focused on measures for safe Lenten holidays in Region 12, ARMM

COTABATO CITY --- The police and military started deploying Monday security details in areas prone to possible attacks by misguided Islamic militants during the Lenten Holidays.Chief Inspector Aldrin Gonzalez, information officer of the Police Regional Office-12, said Monday plainclothes agents have been fielded in markets, terminals and in other busy spots in cities and provinces in central Mindanao as part of the security measures.Region 12 covers the cities of Koronadal, Cotabato, General Santos, Kidapawan and Tacurong and the provinces of Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato, North Cotabato and Sarangani.There are remnants of local Islamic State-inspired blocs in Region 12 fomenting public animosity to non-Muslims and to the government. Our chiefs of police in cities and municipalities shall also embark on information drives to warn people not to leave their homes unguarded if they leave for vacation trips, Gonzalez said.He said they will also have road safety programs, in partnership with the Land Transportation Office-12 and the Regional Highway Patrol Unit, to ensure safe travels of motorists and commuters during the Lenten holidays.Chief Superintendent Graciano Mijares of the Police Regional Office-Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao said Monday the provincial police offices in ARMM have also been implementing security programs in line with next week’s Lenten holidays.Mijares said he is thankful to the provincial peace and order councils in the autonomous region for assuring PRO-ARMM of their support to its security missions.The autonomous region covers Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur, which are both in mainland Mindanao, and the island provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.Mijares said the provincial government of Maguindanao, which has the largest number of Christian residents from among ARMM provinces, is now coordinating its domestic security initiatives intended to ensure a tranquil Lenten Season in towns where there are Christians.Mijares said the chairman of the inter-agency Maguindanao peace and order council, Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu, has tasked mayors in towns where there are Christians to help their municipal police units secureworship sites during the Lenten period.