Monday, December 22, 2008 Oro cops, soldiers unite vs threats By Annabelle L. Ricalde
THE Cagayan de Oro police and the military have forged a joint security effort, in the wake of last week's twin bombings in Iligan City that has so far killed three persons and injured scores of shoppers.
Acting Police City Director Isagani Genabe Jr. said the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (Cocpo) and the 4th Infantry Division have already reactivated "Oplan Sama-sama" -- a joint security program that calls for increased police and military presence in banks, ports, passenger terminals, malls, churches, and vital government installations.
Major General Ricardo David, commanding general of the Army's 4th ID, said their contribution consists of 100 uniformed military personnel - augmenting Cocpo's 500 strong police force.
"We have deployed our share of Army personnel. We entrust their respective assignments and duties to Colonel Genabe," David told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro.
Cooperation between the police and the military was crucial, David said, amid intelligence reports that aside from the two bombs that exploded in Iligan City, eight more deadly improvised explosives were planted in unknown locations in Mindanao.
"Although wala namang ganoong pangyayari dito sa Cagayan de Oro during Christmas Season, pero di pa rin dapat maging kampante tayo sa security," David said.
He urged the public to be more alert in their surroundings and to report to authorities suspicious individuals in their communities.
Genabe said the cooperation between the police and the military has been proven to be an affective deterrence against criminality. The last "Oplan Sama-sama," he said, was carried out during the August fiesta.
Checkpoints will be put up in strategic locations to fully implement the "no-plate-no-travel" policy of the city, the police official said. This will prevent motorcycle-riding snatchers and robbers from entering the city, he added.
