AFP focused on helping IDPs amid campaign vs terrorists

The military said they are focusing on helping the internally displaced persons (IDPs) from the affected towns in Lanao del Sur amid the ongoing pursuit operations against the alleged leader of the Maute terror group Owayda Benito Marohombsar, alias Abu Dar.

“Yung ating (Our) campaign against Abu Dar, we are still continuing our pursuit operations but as of now we are focusing on internally displaced persons, yung mga bakwit (those evacuees), we are trying to help them,” Joint Task Force Ranao Deputy Commander Colonel Romeo Brawner Jr. said.

“At yung iba sa kanila nakabalik na (And some of them were able to go back)

so that we can prevent the occurrences ng mga (of the) problems or diseases sa mga IDPs dito sa mga (to the rest of the IDPs still in the) evacuation centers,” he added.

Brawner said they have also allowed farmers to go back to their respective towns, however its on a daily basis.

“We have allowed the farmers to go back already but on a daily basis. Balik sila, kunin nila yung mga crops nila (They’ll go back to get their crops), then they come back para hindi sila matrap dun sa loob (so that they won’t be trapped),” he said.

As for their hunt for Abu Dar, the deputy commander said they were hopeful that in few weeks they’ll be able to capture or neutralize the alleged Maute terror group leader.

Brawner also mentioned that they are also continuing their campaign to recover loose firearms in Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte and even in Iligan City.

“We believe kasi pagnawala yung mga loose firearms bababa yung mga insidente ng krimen (that if there are no more loose firearms, the crime incidents will lessen) and this is proven already,” Brawner added.