Monday, September 10, 2007 City dad recommends revision of market security measures By Bong Garcia
A LOCAL official, whose work involves security matters, is recommending the review of the security measures at the old public market in Zamboanga City.
Councilor Cesar Itturalde, chairman committee on peace and order, said Mayor Celso Lobregat and City Administrator Elias Enriquez should study how to strengthen the security at the old public market to prevent violent incidents, like bombings, from taking place in the area.
Two home-made bombs exploded one after the other with 15 minutes interval last week while market goers rushed in after the market gates opened.
The City Government closes the market from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. to give way to utility personnel to clean up the market.
However, no one was reported killed or injured in the explosion that took place around 4 a.m. and 4:15 a.m., respectively, in a cafeteria and vegetable outlet of the old public market.
Itturalde believes there are loopholes in the security measures that are being implemented at the old public market, citing “they cannot watch the entry of explosives and other contrabands.”
The local police said the type of bomb that exploded at the public market is ammonium nitrate fuel oil (ANFO) explosives.
