Task Force Zebra intensifies forces to 3 containment areas

PAGADIAN CITY: - Task Force Zebra Commander PSSupt. Francisco Cristobal said that they further strengthened and concentrated their police operations to the three containment areas to determine the exact location of Fr. Michael Sinnott.

Troops from the 9^th Regional Command, ZDS Provincial Police Office, ZDN Provincial Command and Zamboanga Sibugay Police Command, comprising the Task Group Sinnott of Zamboanga Peninsula, have been continuously deployed for patrolling in the coastal areas in the entire region.

Meanwhile, Task Group Sinnott – Lanao del Norte has deployed a company size of police of the 10th Regional Mobile Group (RMG) under CSupt Nicanor A. Bartolome.

PSSupt Cristobal said that the three task groups were already in full operations. Two companies from each RMG have been deployed for the law enforcement operations against the suspects. He added that the suspected locations of the priest and his abductors are in Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur.

Another company of 9th RMG was directed by Police Regional Director Angelo Sunglao to augment the troops of Police Provincial Director Ramon M. Ochotorena to add in Oplan Saliksik.

On the other hand, PNP troops in Zamboanga Sibugay were mobilized by RD Sunglao within their area of responsibility in the possible entry and egress points of Tungawan, Olutanga Island, and Payao, which are considered traditional areas for such incidents.

“Now our Task Force Zebra is fully-operational and have positioned themselves in the most strategic areas”, said SSupt Cristobal.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines has likewise pre-positioned their troops in the 103^rd and 104^th Brigades in Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur respectively. (Kim Amor & Sarah Jane Tumala/ pgo-ppb)