Holiday declared for BOL plebiscite
AUTONOMOUS REGION IN MUSLIM MINDANAO, COTABATO CITY, ISABELA CITY
MALACAÑANG has issued Proclamation No. 646 declaring Monday, Jan. 21, a special non-working day in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), Isabela City in Basilan, and Cotabato City for the plebiscite on the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL). “[I]n order to give the people of the ARMM, Isabela City, and Cotabato City the opportunity to actively and fully participate in the plebiscite and exercise their right to vote, it is but fitting and proper to declare 21 January 2019 a special (non-working) day,” reads part of the proclamation signed by Executive Secretary Salvador S. Medialdea on Jan. 10 and made public yesterday. Meanwhile, the areas in the provinces of Lanao del Norte and Cotabato that will take part in the plebiscite will cast their ballots on Feb. 6. President Rodrigo R. Duterte is scheduled to lead a peace assembly for the ratification of the BOL in Cotabato City on Friday, Jan. 18. In a press briefing on Thursday, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador S. Panelo said that “it is just logical” for the President “who is in favor” of the BOL “to make a pitch for it.” — AUTONOMOUS REGION IN MUSLIM MINDANAO
Military, police beef up security as BOL plebiscite nears
THE MILITARY and police have recently foiled bomb threats and seized firearms from terror groups as security operations are beefed up for the Bangsamoro Organic
Law (BOL) plebiscite on Jan. 21 and
Feb. 6. “The focus of our operations is in connection with the upcoming
Bangsamoro plebiscite. We want to preempt the threat groups who plan to interrupt the event,” Major
Arvin John Encinas, spokesperson of the 6th Infantry Division, said in a phone interview with Over the weekend and this week, the Western Mindanao Command reported a foiled bomb plot in Sultan Kudarat after seizing “anti-personnel mines” and triggering devices, and the seizure of various weapons in Maguindanao from alleged members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF). Five members of the BIFF led by Commander Mayogantong Bansil also surrendered and turned over their firearms.
COTABATO CITY
Mr. Encinas said they have also augmented manpower in Cotabato City following the Dec. 31 bombing incidents. The city has also been placed under the control of the Commission on Elections. “Two division recon company were added for Cotabato City as a force multiplier. Aside from that, there are five battalions who are securing the area,” he said. A provisional battalion will also be deployed during the voting day on Jan. 21. Meanwhile, Cotabato City Mayor Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi, in an interview with on Tuesday evening, said security forces captured a suspected member of the Islamic State group last Jan. 15. “Special Investigation Task Group captured a member of ISIS involved in the Davao City bombing earlier. If he was not captured, he may have started another bombing (here) since he was armed with a grenade at the time of the capture,” Ms. Sayadi said. —