PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) Director General Ronald Dela Rosa said there is no specific threat for Cagayan de Oro and Iligan cities but told the Northern Mindanao police to work double time to maintain the peace and order of the entire region.
Dela Rosa was in the city to attend the change of command ceremony at the Police Regional Office (PRO)-Northern Mindanao at Camp 1st Lt Vicente Alagar in Barangay Lapasan, Thursday, June 22.
Chief Superintendent Agripino Javier, former police regional director, relinquished his post to Chief Superintendent Timoteo Pacleb after the formers retirement from service.
Pacleb is the former director of the PNP intelligence group in Camp Crame.
Speaking before the men and women of PRO-Northern Mindanao, Dela Rosa said the peace and order situation of Northern Mindanao remains stable.
“Dili man gyud nato masulti nga wala tay giatubang nga problema (We can’t completely say that we face no problem). Naa tay problema (We have problems) but so far so good. Wala tay namonitor nga (We haven’t monitor any) specific threat diri sa CDO ( here in Cagayan de Oro) and Iligan so okay ta ug maningkamot ta nga ma-maintain nato na (and we have to maintain that),” Dela Rosa said.
Dela Rosa said he does not find it problematic if the trial proceedings of the Maute relatives are held in Cagayan de Oro.
“It’s okay with us if (the cases are heard) anywhere. We’ll secure them,” he said.
Dela Rosa also said government forces are imposing tight security in the different ports and other possible exit points to block Maute fighters and sympathizers fleeing the war-stricken Marawi city.
The PNP chief added that security forces and law enforcement groups can counter personalities using fake identification (ID) cards by enforcing rigid inspections and scrutiny.
“Strict inspection lang gyud gani daghan man pud ta nadakpan sa Gensan, Davao Iloilo ug dinhi sa CDO so maintain lang nato na,” Dela Rosa said.
As Pacleb leads the PRO-Northern Mindanao, Dela Rosa calls on the policemen to cooperate and support the former on the daunting task especially in responding to the challenges posed by the different threat groups.
Dela Rosa said should the fighting in Marawi City between extremists and government forces spill over to adjoining areas, the cities of Iligan and Cagayan de Oro and the provinces of Lanao del Norte, Misamis Oriental, and Bukidnon are sure to be affected.
Dela Rosa said being a former intelligence official, Pacleb is the ideal leader for the Northern Mindanao police.
“Alam natin ang (We all know that) PRO-10 (Northern Mindanao) is facing so many threat groups kaya kailangan natin (that’s why we need) intelligence trained na regional director. I'm sure you (Pacleb) will do it, na di ka maisahan kasi (you won’t be out brained since) very crucial ang assignment mo,” Dela Rosa said.
Dela Rosa also advised the public not to be “terrorized” by fake news and by leaked, unverified police documents.
“Calm down lang tayo at huwag magpatalo sa threat na yan (we must calm down and don’t be afraid with threats) but we must stay vigilant kasi mabuti nang alerto tayo para di tayo magsisi (since it’s better to be alert than regret in the end),” Dela Rosa said.
“We must live normal lives,” Dela Rosa added.
Dela Rosa had skipped attending an important meeting in Manila with Indonesian authorities so he could grace the turn-over of command at the PNP-Northern Mindanao.
Dela Rosa said he made it a point to be present at Pacleb’s take over, dela Rosa’s classmate back at the Philippine Military Academy.
Dela Rosa said he got a call from Foreign Affairs Secretary Allan Peter Cayetano regarding the bilateral meeting with Indonesian military and police officials in Manila.
“I told him (Cayetano) I will attend the turn-over first. I will just catch up,” the police chief said during his speech.