Monday, August 06, 2007 Military, city police beef up security By Danilo V. Adorador III
THE police and the military said they have calibrated their security measures after a blast in Koronadal City that killed a passenger last Friday.
Although the security alert was not raised, the Cagayan de Oro Police Office (Cocpo) and Fourth Infantry Division (4ID) said their respective personnel are "on guard" and "closely monitoring the situation."
Cagayan de Oro City Police Director Aurelio Trampe said security in passenger terminals was immediately tightened, with police personnel implementing rigid check-up on baggage of passengers.
"We have also begun conducting a joint checkpoint with the military," Trampe said.
Army intelligence has also been alerted to assist police detect suspicious persons, said Maj. Samuel Sagun, 4ID public affairs officer.
"Our troops are always prepared for anything. They are always on guard to respond to any crisis, so there is no need to raise the alert level every time a bombing occurs in other places," Sagun said.
Meanwhile, US explosives experts are assisting in a probe into two bombings that ripped through a crowded bus terminal in Koronadal City killing a passenger and injuring 12 more.
Police released Saturday the sketch of the suspect.
Authorities were also quick to dispel reports that the twin bombings could be a "spillover" of the Basilan tension.
Police said the bomb blasts that hit the Yellow Bus Line in Koronadal City were perpetrated by an extortionist group and not at all related to the tension in Basilan.
