THE Philippine National Police (PNP) said there was lack of appreciation on reports gathered and coordination on the part of the police and military regarding the terror plans of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in Datu Piang last week.
Police Major General Marni Marcos, chairman of the Board of Inquiry (BOI) that was created for an in-depth investigation on the matter, said they have found and concluded the following:
* The harassment was perpetrated by the BIFF led by Muhidden Animbang also known as Commander Karialan and Salahuddin Saguia alias Sala Salik;
* Intelligence units of the PNP have monitored the plans of the BIFF to attack Datu Piang;
* The chief of police of the Datu Piang received the intelligence report of the attack hours before the incident took place;
* There was lack of appreciation in the gathered intelligence regarding the terror plans of the BIFF;
* There was lack of coordination and intelligence validation with the AFP counterparts and other stakeholders in the area;
* The resistance from the personnel of Datu Piang Municipal Police Station prevented the burning of the Sta. Teresita Parish church by the BIFF.
Marcos said despite being able to identify the threat, there was no adjustment on the police station’s strength and capabilities and no strategic deployment of PNP mobile forces was made.
He said the gaps and enhancement that needed further enhancement included the coordination mechanism between the PNP and other government security forces particularly in intelligence sharing and movement of troops, the immediate dissemination of intelligence that requires urgent actions to the end-users and the capacity and capability of the municipal police station in terms of manpower and equipment.
The BOI reiterated the strict implementation of the police operational procedure in the conduct of condition situation response system and the strategic deployment of mobile forces as support in areas identified as prone to attacks.
But the BOI commended the response of the municipal police station that it was able to prevent the escalation of the attack despite the “overwhelming odds and the handicaps” of the police involved.
Marcos said they have recommended the improvement and strengthening of physical security in vital installations, enhance and improve coordination between the PNP and AFP counterparts and other law enforcement agencies, review the existing peace and order and public safety plan of Datu Piang in coordination with then AFP forces and the beefing up of intelligence gathering through close collaboration with friendly forces and populace for a timely dissemination.
PNP Chief Debold Sinas said no heads will roll following the incident, noting that the efforts of the police are commendable.
“As to if someone can file a case, we don't have anything, we just have to correct ourselves,” he said.
“We received the good feedback from the municipal mayor and he himself has praised the police in defending Datu Piang ang nakita niyo na save po ‘yung simbahan,” he added.
He said they will also study the possibility of awarding the involved policemen.
Sinas said they will submit the BOI report to the AFP for reference.
He said Datu Piang chief of police Captain Israel Bayona who was relieved from his post for the conduct of debriefing was retained and has already gone back to duty.
The attack happened on the evening of December 3, 2020, when at least 50 armed BIFF men entered Datu Piang in Maguindanao and burned a police mobile.
Based on initial investigation, Sinas said Bayona and his men were patrolling when they saw the approaching armed BIFF men coming from the eastern and western part of the poblacion.
The policemen stepped down of the vehicle and established a position at the back of the church for defense.
Sinas said the harassment lasted until past 12 a.m. when the enemy withdrew from the scene after being overwhelmed by the valley of fire from the police.
Marcos said they already filed charges of multiple frustrated murder and destructive arson before the Maguindanao Provincial Prosecutor's Office against Salahuddin Hasan, Animbang "Karialan" Indong, and 133 others last December 11. (SunStar Philippines)