10,000 troops to secure Bangsamoro plebiscite, ‘problematic areas’ in MindanaoBy The Manila TimesABOUT 10,000 soldiers were deployed in Cotabato City to secure the upcoming plebiscite of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) on January 21, with Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) identifying the “problematic areas” in Mindanao. In a news conference on Tuesday, Lorenzana named Cotabato City, Isabela City in Basilan and six areas in Lanao del as “problematic” because of the “conflicting aspirations of their leaders.”“That will be the challenges plus the barangay (villages) in Cotabato,” Lorenzana told reporters after the traditional New Year’s call in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City. Lt. Gen. Benjamin Madrigal Jr., the AFP chief of staff, said the military has deployed 10,000 soldiers “on the ground” with “follow-on forces in case there would be a need” to boost security during the plebiscite. Lorenzana said the military division handling Cotabato City would be needing additional forces. Cotabato City is under the jurisdiction of the Philippine Army’s 6th Infantry Division, headed by Maj. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, and the Western Mindanao Command of the AFP, led by Lt. Gen. Arnel de la Vega.

Source: Manila Times January 08, 2019 08:37 UTC