17-1-2024 (MANILA) In a bid to bolster security measures in Lanao del Sur, four companies of the police Special Action Force (SAF) were dispatched on Monday. The sendoff ceremony, led by Brig. Gen. Allan Nobleza, the police director of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, took place at Camp SK Pendatun in Parang, Maguindanao del Norte.
The SAF commandos, drawn from the 41st, 43rd, 44th, and 45th Special Action Companies Special Action Battalion, have been deployed to strategic locations, including Marawi, Malabang, Masiu, and Marantao towns.
Brig. Gen. Nobleza highlighted the existing security gaps in Lanao del Sur, emphasizing the need to address them promptly. He expressed optimism that the presence of the SAF units would contribute to an improvement in overall security within the province.
In a statement, Brig. Gen. Nobleza urged the deployed SAF commandos to give their utmost effort in safeguarding villagers from potential threats arising from clan wars and local terrorist activities. The move aims to proactively address security concerns and maintain peace in the region.
Lanao del Sur has faced challenges related to clan conflicts, with the provincial peace and order council successfully resolving 13 clan wars in 2023. Additionally, their efforts led to the surrender of 86 members of the Dawlah Islamiya terrorist group, underlining the significance of collaborative initiatives to maintain peace and stability in the area.
