Monday, August 25, 2008 Councilor urges cops to improve info gathering
A CEBU City legislator appealed to the Philippine National Police (PNP) to strengthen its intelligence network against terrorism in the wake of clashes between government forces and rebel groups in Mindanao.
Councilor Arsenio Pacaña also asked the PNP to adopt pro-active measures, such as training barangay personnel and security agencies in guarding vital installations, commercial centers and ports.
In a proposed resolution, he urged the police to encourage and sustain community participation and vigilance, especially among the Muslim communities.
Pacaña believes that the community can do much in helping the police with intelligence-gathering to prevent terrorist attacks.
“The recent clash between the military and the MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front) gives impetus for the PNP to take proactive measures to fully secure places often frequented by people, especially commercial centers, schools, and tourist areas, amid threats of a spillover of terrorist activities that may be committed by sympathetic groups who might take advantage of the situation,” he said.
Although the Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 has assured that there are no threats in any part of Central Visayas, terrorist groups are likely to strike where security measures are relaxed, Pacaña added.
“In view of perceived threats of global terrorism, it is imperative that aside from intensifying the intelligence-gathering network of the PNP, vigilance at the community level should also be encouraged as a precautionary measure,” read his resolution.
Vigilance and equipping barangay officials and security guards with appropriate skills in preventing attacks would also help ensure peace and order in the community, he
said.
Pacaña, City Council committee on tourism chairman, filed his resolution last Friday for discussion in this Wednesday’s regular session.
Last Week, Sultan Naif Punut, Mayor Tomas Osmeña’s consultant on Muslim communities, assured that Muslim residents here have been mobilized to monitor the presence of individuals who may have ties with the MILF.
So far, he said, there are no reports on the arrival of any terrorist group from Mindanao. (LCR)
