THE public has been urged anew to remain vigilant but calm to help the authorities protect Zamboanga City against possible attacks by lawless groups, like the Abu Sayyaf.
The call of Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar for public vigilance came after military forces clashed on Wednesday, September 9, against the Abu Sayyaf bandits in the province of Zamboanga Sibugay.
Five bandits were killed while two soldiers were wounded in Wednesday's clash in Sitio Limuno in President Roxas village, R.T. Lim municipality.
Wednesday's firefight was the result of military pursuit operations against the combined groups of the Abral Abdusalam and Sahibad crime syndicates and Basilan-based Abu Sayyaf leader Furuji Indama after they clashed on September 6 in La Paz village, Alicia, Zamboanga Sibugay.
"We deny our enemies the opportunity to conduct terror activities in our area of jurisdiction," said Salazar, who chairs the Regional Peace and Order Council.
She said people should remain vigilant but calm and to contribute in the shared responsibility of securing the city against terrorists and other lawless elements.
The mayor met with top military and police officials to ensure that security measures are well in place to protect the city against terrorism and all forms of lawlessness. (SunStar Zamboanga)