Wednesday, October 18, 2006 Guv adopts tight measures v. terrorism
LOCAL officials must work closely with the police and civilian population in watching out for possible terror attacks against public places and government institutions in Iloilo Province, Gov. Niel D. Tupas Sr. said Monday.
In a meeting with municipal mayors and chiefs of police, Tupas said Iloilo province must not let down its guard against the threat of terror bombings as what had happened in several places in Mindanao.
"Vigilance is the key to preventing bloody attacks against civilian and military targets in Iloilo," Tupas said.
Tupas convened the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) on Monday as a pre-emptive move to ensure the safety and security of local residents in the wake of these terror bombings.
During the meeting, police provincial director Senior Supt. Joel Napoleon Coronel assured local leaders that high-profile targets like the P6.2-billion New Iloilo Airport of International Standards in Sta. Barbara and Cabatuan are secured against raids by the New People's Army.
"The airport project is now the well-guarded airport in the country with 28 policemen and a platoon of Army soldiers," Coronel said.
Tupas instructed Coronel to beef up security at the airport project following the raid staged by NPA rebels on the Silay City airport two weeks ago.
The attackers were able to overpower the private security guards without firing a single shot and burned P30 million worth of asphalt batching equipment.
Upon instructions of the governor, Coronel also reactivated the police outpost near the Coca-Cola plant in Barangay Ungka II, Pavia, Iloilo to increase police visibility in the area where the P4.2-billion flood control project has its main office.
He also increased the number of policemen manning the Kababayan Center along the Coastal Road in Dumangas, Iloilo and beefed up security at the Naluoyan Port to prevent any terrorist attacks at this vital facility.
The outpost at Barangay Jalaud Norte in Zarraga, which is a critical crossroad for the towns of Zarraga, Barotac Nuevo, Pototan and New Lucena, was also revived.
Discipline was also another issue discussed during the meeting.
Coronel said the fatal shooting of two policemen by their own team leader in Dingle, Iloilo last weekend was a "regrettable result of drinking while on duty."
Coronel reminded the chiefs of police to set an example to their subordinates by avoiding alcohol and taking punitive action against those who violate the prohibition against drunkenness while on duty.
To stop the tendency of policemen from being "trigger-happy", Coronel also required chiefs of police to subject any policeman who discharges his or her weapon, "legally or illegally", to an investigation.
"This will enable us to take action against trigger happy police officers and prevent abuses like indiscriminate firing of weapons," he said.
Tupas also reminded Coronel about the need to conduct periodic inspections and make an inventory of the firearms issued to policemen.
"We have to always make sure that the firearms are in the proper hands and not in the possession of lenders and fences," Tupas said.
Tupas authorized municipal mayors to conduct showdown inspections and personally see to it that the firearms are in the custody of the policemen.
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