Philippine National Police Acting Chief Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. has ordered strict monitoring and intensified intelligence gathering to deter any possible terrorism-related recruitment and training activities in Mindanao.
Nartatez, who previously served as head of the Area Police Command-Western Mindanao, said the PNP has been in constant coordination with the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the country’s intelligence community.
He said that while there is no immediate threat of an extremist resurgence, authorities are maintaining strict and regular monitoring to preempt any potential security risks.
“We treat all the information we receive seriously. And while there are already significant gains in improving peace, order and development in areas in Mindanao that used to be the sites of armed conflict, we continue to monitor the situation on the ground with the help of our AFP counterparts,” Nartatez said in a statement on Sunday.
The PNP chief issued the statement after a group monitoring violence and advocating peace in Mindanao warned of alleged recruitment and training activities by Dawlah Islamiyah–Maute Group in parts of Lanao and Maguindanao.
The warning followed a 23 January ambush in Munai, Lanao del Norte that killed four soldiers. The attack was allegedly carried out by suspected DI-Maute Group members while government forces were conducting non-combat security operations in support of community development.
Nartatez said police and military personnel in Lanao and Maguindanao remain on heightened alert in line with directives from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla to maintain a firm stance against internal security threats and ensure continued stability in the Bangsamoro region.
He said strict monitoring and intervention measures have long been part of government protocols to protect gains in peace and development in Mindanao.
Nartatez also underscored the importance of community involvement in sustaining peace and order, particularly in preventing the resurgence of terrorism.