DAVAO Region has been placed under terrorism threat level 3 due to the prevailing security situation in neighboring region.
Philippine Army 1003rd Brigade commander Brigadier General Ernesto Torres told reporters on Wednesday, September 19, that Davao region’s threat level was raised to Level 3, citing a strong possibility of terror attacks within a short period of time due to reports of bombings, plans of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), remnants of the Maute Group and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and the kidnap for ransom groups.
Based on the legend of terrorism threat level, Level 1 means low, Level 2 is moderate, level 3 is high and the highest is Level 4 which is categorized as extremely high.
“We are on high threat level on matters of terrorism,” Torres said. This threat level was assigned because of the series of incidents in central Mindanao to include the series of bombings in Region 12.
With the threat level, they are also boosting their security efforts to thwart possible spillover of the atrocities in other regions.
“If you are asking on the proportionality on the threat level and our preparation, we’re always one step higher. If the threat level is one, our security preparation is 2 and so on and so forth because we would like to be one step ahead as much as possible with the plans and the activities being undertaken by the terrorists and the insurgents,” Torres said.
He likewise assured that on their part, they are not letting their guards down to ensure that terrorist groups will not enter the region to sow terror in coordination with other law enforcement agencies.
“We are assuring the people with the needed collaboration, Davao City will be safe for everybody,” he said.
Despite the high threat level in Davao Region, Torres said the region is currently generally peaceful.