Northern Mindanao police tells public to remain vigilant

AN OFFICIAL of the Police Regional Office (PRO)-Northern Mindanao made an appeal to the local Muslim community for cooperation should they notice the presence of "terrorists" pretending to be civilians and blending with them in celebration of the Eid Al-Fitr.

PRO-Northern Mindanao spokesperson Superintendent Lemuel Gonda said authorities continue to assume that lawless groups will sow terror in other parts of Northern Mindanao based on reports reaching their office.

"Naa tay mga report nga gakadawat pero ang ato lang nga ma-secure nato ang mga possible target areas," Gonda said.

Newly-installed PRO-Northern Mindanao chief Superintendent Timoteo Pacleb also ordered all police unit commanders to intensify the implementation of "target hardening and security measures" as the observance of Ramadan ends on Monday, June 26.

In his order, all unit commanders are directed to conduct preventive patrol and coordinate with the military in their respective jurisdictions.

All police units were also ordered by Pacleb to undertake intensified police operations and ensure maximum deployment of police security personnel in potential terrorist-target areas.

These areas include the shopping malls, vital infrastructures, mass transport terminals and public markets, among other places of convergence.

Pacleb said all police personnel must be extra vigilant and security conscious in day-to-day basis.

On Sunday, Muslim communities celebrated the Eid'l Fitr at the vast ground of Pelaez Sports Center in the very heart of Cagayan de Oro where police security has been notably fortified.

Gonda said policemen on the ground were directed to scrutinize personalities coming inside the Palaro Center and those surrounding the mosques.

"Nakig-istorya nata sa Muslim community ug atong gipanawagan sa ila nga ireport kung naa silay mamatikdan nga dili nila kaila or suspicious ang lihok kay basin naay mahitabo madamay sila," Gonda said.

Gonda said not only the police intelligence are deployed on the ground but as well as other intelligence group of the military and other law enforcement units.

Gonda said the strict security procedures imposed by the authorities is for the common good and aspirations to maintain safety and peace and order.

"Ang gusto nato malinawon ang celebration sa Eid'l Fitr uban sa cooperation sa mga Christians and Muslims kay bottom line ani is peace and order man gyud,"Gonda said.

Chief Inspector Mardy Hortillosa, spokesman of the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (Cocpo), said no untoward incidents yet in relation to the celebration was reported.

Hortillosa said they would continue to deploy policemen in all mosques in the city today, June 26, to ensure that terrorists would not be able to blend with the Islam faithfuls.

"Lunes man gyud ang celebration sa Eid'l Fitr so padayon atong pagdeploy sa mga mosque aron masiguro nga walay makasagol nga mga daotang tawo," Hortillosa said.

Trending

No stories found.

Just in

No stories found.

Branded Content

No stories found.
SunStar Publishing Inc.
www.sunstar.com.ph