Soldiers deployed to foil attacks in Region 12, ARMM

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguin­danao, Philippines – The Army’s 6th Infantry Division has fielded more than 500 military agents in strategic areas in Central Mindanao to thwart any bombings and kidnappings during the Holy Week.

Maj. Marlowe Patria, the 6th ID’s civil-military relations officer, said their agents are deployed in bus terminals and markets to help policemen in Region 12 and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao detect the movements of terrorists and kidnappers.

Patria said two major entry and exit points connecting Cotabato City to Maguindanao, are now guarded by the 6th ID and an Army Special For-ces unit.

Text messages have been circulating for two days now purporting that kidnappers seeking refuge in marshlands at the border of Cotabato City and the first district of Maguindanao would kidnap five businessmen in the coming days.

Many Chinese businessmen in Cotabato City have relocated members of their families after four traders were snatched one after the other from August last year to April 1.

The latest victim, businesswoman Jinkee Lim Yap, 40, was snatched while tending her small roadside grocery store last April 1. She was set free eight days later in Datu Piang, Maguindanao after her family reportedly paid ransom.