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Saturday, February 25, 2006
Coup jitters hardly felt in Cebu
CEBU CITY -- Unlike Manila, Cebu went on with its usual business and barely felt tension Friday.
Though the Cebu City Police Office was forced to send a crowd dispersal management team to the Malacañang in the South with reports of 300 demonstrators assembling in the area, there were no clashes.
Superintendent Melvin Gayotin said they always exercised maximum tolerance and assured that as long as the demonstrators did not force their way through the gates, they could go on as they pleased.
Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 director Eduardo Gador also said the people had the right to express their opinions and that the police in the region respected these rights.
In a radio interview Friday morning, Gador said the cause-oriented groups could continue to hold demonstrations as long as they did not block the roads and did so peacefully.
However, with the declaration of a state of emergency, Gador said licensed gun holders will not be allowed to carry firearms, even with the necessary permits.
Radio dyLA reported that until this is lifted, all guns held by civilians will be confiscated.
Those who hold permits to carry firearms outside the residence will not be charged for illegal possession, but their guns will still be confiscated and receipted.
Gador said these will be returned when the state of emergency is lifted.
Gayotin and Lieutenant Colonel Jefferson Omandam of the Central Command confirmed they were already on red alert, but said this was not because of the incidents in Manila.
Gayotin told reporters Friday that the upgrading of the alert status was ordered since 5 p.m. Wednesday, in light of the Edsa 1 anniversary and celebration of Cebu City's Charter Day.
The PRO 7, through Regional Operations and Plans Division head Senior Superintendent Carmelo Valmoria, issued a memorandum Friday reminding all provincial and city police directors and chiefs of the Regional Mobile Group of the full alert status.
"Everybody is enjoined to step up your security measures in your respective areas of responsibility," the memorandum read.
He further ordered them to intensify intelligence gathering of "timely and relevant information" to thwart terrorist plans; strengthen security measures of vital installations, economic key points, places of convergence and other probably terrorist targets; and conduct checkpoints in strategic locations to negate criminal or terrorist acts.
"You are further reminded to monitor any unauthorized troop movements in your respective jurisdiction," he added.
At 9:30 a.m. Friday, Valmoria directed all units to submit internal security situation reports every thirty minutes.
For his part, Omandam said Centcom would rather focus their attention on search, rescue and retrieval operations and distribution of relief goods to Guinsaugon, St. Bernard, Southern Leyte.
In the same radio station, Omandam said the help needed in Eastern Visayas was more a important concern.
He said all troop movements in the Visayas were headed for St. Bernard.
As for reports of defecting personnel, Omandam said Centcom was "fortunate that all adhere to the principles of the chain of command."
He assured that Centcom will respect the rights of the people and that no human rights abuses will be tolerated.
Both Centcom and PRO 7 have not monitored officers or units who have joined or sympathize with the plot to overthrow the Arroyo Government.
With this Gador said they will continue with their efforts on peace and order and will not be affected by what is going on in Manila.
However, he cautioned his men though to watch out for groups who might take advantage of the situation. (MEA of Sun.Star Cebu)
(February 25, 2006 issue)
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