THE top official of the Northern Mindanao police has ordered intelligence units to intensify intelligence gathering even as full security alert all over the region has been raised anew following the blast that rocked General Santos City and Midsayap, North Cotabato, over the weekend.
Chief Superintendent Timoteo Pacleb, director of the Police Regional Office (PRO)-Northern Mindanao, has ordered the deployment of police personnel and K9 units in places of convergence and directed intelligence units to strengthen intelligence gathering.
"We need to further intensify our intelligence monitoring and liaising to build a strong information network against this kind of terror attack," Pacleb said.
At least seven people were wounded after an improvised explosive device went off in Apopong, General Santos City, around noon Sunday, September 16. Nearly eight hours after, another explosion happened in Midsayap, North Cotabato.
Barely three weeks ago, three people were killed in a deadly blast in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat.
To help deter possible terror attacks, about a thousand police personnel have been distributed in the different areas under the jurisdiction of PRO-Northern Mindanao, including the cities of Iligan and Cagayan de Oro to ensure safety and security of the public.
PRO-Northern Mindanao spokesperson Superintendent Surki Serenas said there is no specific intelligence report that Cagayan de Oro City is among the target of any threat groups.
"However, there are information that major cities in Mindanao are target. Hence, the PNP is operating on the assumption that we may be a possible target," he said.
But, the region's top cop has assured that the police is on top of the situation and urged the public to remain calm and vigilant.
"The best defense against terrorists is awareness and vigilance. When we see something, say something. Report to the police any person, activity or thing which raises our suspicion and the police will take care of it," Pacleb said.
"We assure the public that the government security forces are on top of the situation and are continuously conducting innovative strategies to ensure security and public safety," he added.
The PRO-Northern Mindanao has reminded the public that police hotlines are already spread on various social media sites.