Thursday, June 28, 2007 Acharon, police intensify measures vs terror attacks
* Police to meet with operations officers of various bus firms operating in the city to brief them about the security measures being adopted
* Cop chief points out lack of personnel as one of the main factors that hinders their operation
GENERAL Santos City Mayor Pedro "Jun" Acharon called the police to a conference last week in the wake of two separate bomb attacks on Weena Bus Company plying the Cotabato-Davao route.
Eight persons were killed while 16 others were injured in an explosion inside the Weena Bus in Bansalan town in Davao del Sur. Another bomb exploded inside another unit of Weena Bus in Cotabatao City.
Acharon said he called the police to a meeting to review the security measures being implemented to contain possible terror attack here.
Acharon claimed that terror threat against the city remains and there is a need to further strengthen the police intelligence monitoring, as well as, improve the previous strategies and defense plans for the city.
During the meeting, the police pointed out lack of personnel as one of the main factors that hinders their operation.
City Police Director Vicente Bautista said the prevailing ratio of the police-civilian ratio one is to 1,000.
However, Bautista said this should not be a reason for the police not to perform well.
Among the security measures adopted to prevent terror attack in the city include strict implementation of checkpoints, employment of bus marshals, random checks on passenger luggages on pick-up points of bus firms and operation "Yawyaw" in crowded places and transport terminals.
In operation "Yawyaw," the public will be warned through a public address system to keep a close watch against any suspicious baggage and characters.
The mayor also urged the conductors and drivers especially of stationary buses to closely coordinate with the police to ensure the safety of the passengers.
Bautista claimed he is planning to meet with the operations officers of various bus firms here to brief them about the security measures being adopted.
The city police director further said he would assign a policeman to the offices of each bus firm operating in the city.
The City Government vowed to provide financial assistance and equipment to ensure the success of police operation against terrorism. (CPIO)
