THE 303rd Infantry Brigade (IBde) of the Philippine Army in Negros Occidental is on heightened alert following the twin bombing in Jolo, Sulu over the weekend which killed about 21 people and injured more than 100 persons.
Colonel Benedict Arevalo, commander of the 303rd IBde, said there is no security threat in the province but “all troops are reminded to render full duty.”
All entry and exit points will be monitored to prevent the similar incidents, he said.
Arevalo assured the Negrenses that there is nothing to worry but he advised everyone to be vigilant and alert.
“We should not be complacent,” he said.
Arevalo said he was saddened about the Jolo incident, but he assured that the military in the province will strengthen its operations against terrorism.
For his part, Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. urged everyone to be vigilant amid the series of bombings in Mindanao.
“The military and the police should strengthen their intelligence network. It's happening not only here but all over the world. This is the trend now. There is so much violence all over now,” he said.
He also urges everyone to pray. “The best answer to all these is still prayer. We'll pray that our province will be spared from this kind of violence. But each and every one of us should be careful and vigilant that if you notice anything unusual you should immediately report to authorities to preempt any untoward incident and violence.”
Arevalo, meanwhile, said that a three -minute gunfire from suspected New People’s Army (NPA) were heard 300 to 400 meters away from the detachment in Barangay Trinidad, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental on Tuesday, January 29. No casualties were reported.
For his part, Major General Dinoh Dolina, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division of the Philippine Army based in Jamindan, Capiz, vowed to protect the people of Central and Western Visayas from any terror attacks.
Dolina, in a press release, said they will closely monitor the maritime waters of the Visayas and all points of entry and exit in the region in tandem with other law enforcement agencies.
“We are one with the Filipino people in condemning to the strongest possible terms the said inhumane and barbaric act that claimed the lives of innocent civilians including our fellow soldiers. Rest assured that your Army in Western and Central Visayas will double its efforts to suppress any terror attempt that would jeopardize the peace and security situation in the region,” Dolina said.
Dolina also encouraged Muslim communities to cooperate with the government security forces and work together to safeguard their brothers against those who promote violent radicalism.
“I would like also to reiterate the call of the higher command to the people of Visayas to be vigilant and continue cooperating with the Army to prevent any terrorist group from casting similar terror attacks in the whole region,” he added. (GYM and TDE)