NEGRENSES were told to remain vigilant as authorities continue to verify the information that the Maute terror group will launch attacks in key cities nationwide on June 30.
Major General Jon Aying, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division of the Philippine Army, said Tuesday that “there’s no confirmation.”
"We can’t confirm that, but it went to our attention. We’re not the ones circulating that," he added.
Information circulating on social media stated that terrorist groups Islamic State on Iraq and Syria, Maute, and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters will carry out attacks in public places in various cities caused an alarm to residents of Bacolod City and Negros Occidental.
Aying reiterated that they are still confirming the information and strengthening their intelligence operations.
“I think it is more of a hoax. But on the other hand, we don’t want to underestimate the possibility... We also don't want to underestimate that there’s radicalization anywhere. We don’t know what level are their capabilities right now,” he said.
Aying urged the public to report to the authorities if they see suspicious people or activities.
“Everyone should have a share in strengthening and hardening the communities. There is no reason to panic, but there’s always a reason to be careful, vigilant, and the reason to cooperate with each other,” he added.
For his part, Senior Superintendent Jack Wanky, acting director of Bacolod City Police Office, said he directed his men to tighten security and be prepared for any eventuality while they continue to validate the information.
He said the police are trying to initiate an intelligence fusion so they would know immediately how to treat the situation, whether lightly or seriously.
Through intelligence fusion, the intelligence community could come up with a report that would guide commanders and leaders on what appropriate action to take amid the different information that is coming out, Wanky said.
Task Force Buglas
Meanwhile, Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. presided the first meeting of the Capitol’s anti-terrorism task force on Tuesday, june 20, at the Provincial Capitol in Bacolod City.
Among the agenda of Task Force Buglas were the security measures of the province amid the terror threat.
Marañon, who chairs the task force, directed all members to be “extra vigilant,” said provincial planning and development coordinator Ma. Lina Sanogal.
Sanogal, task force executive director, said there should be “vigilance” in reporting.
“We only react because these terrorists are advanced. We have to catch up. We have to put extra effort, we have to be very discerning if we see suspicious persons. We won’t only take it at face value or what they have said. We have to be very discerning and investigative,” she said.
She added that there should be inter-agency coordination and communication to thwart any terror threat.
While the authorities are still verifying information about the supposed attacks, Sanogal said it is better to be over prepared than be caught off guard.
“While everything is being validated, we have to react, not panic, but we can’t remain complacent. We have to be very careful with whoever enters the province,” she added.
Planning workshop
Sanogal also said that a planning workshop for task force members will be held next week to flesh out the functions of each task group.
Members of the task force include chairperson of Provincial Board Committee on Peace and Order and Public Safety, Negros Occidental Police Provincial Police, Philippine Army, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, Provincial Environment Management Office, Public Information Office, and others.
Members also suggested including other agencies in the task force.
Among these are the mayors’ and barangay captains’ associations, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Bureau of Immigration, Department of Education, Philippine Red Cross, and others.
Communication network
Task Force Buglas is also looking to establish a communication network to help its efforts in preventing terror attacks.
Sanogal said the task force will tackle next week the proposal on implementing a communication network to help the community every time they encounter information about a possible threat.
“We will come up with a list of things we need to procure to improve our communication facilities and to have mobility. We can access that from the Peace and Order Fund,” she added.
Moreover, Aying said that with the proposed community operations network, the community will be the “first responder” if they encounter indicators that could link to terror and criminality.
He said the local government and law enforcers must work together with the community, adding that “everyone has his share of responsibility in securing the community.”