A PHILIPPINE Army official on Wednesday, January 4, said the military has not received intelligence reports of any form of threats for the upcoming Traslacion of the Black Nazarene in Cagayan de Oro City on January 9.
But 4th Infantry Division (4ID) spokesperson Joe Patrick Martinez said despite the absence of the threat, state security forces will be on alert and will not put their guards down.
“Walang report na threat (There was no report of a threat) but it doesn't mean na kapag wala magkumpyansa na ta (that we have to be off-guard),” he said.
Martinez said security measures will be in place to ensure the safety of the devotees joining the religious procession.
The 4ID spokesperson said the security measures in the city were put in place even before security forces in Manila got wind of threats from terror groups with regard to the annual religious procession.
Martinez said the army will augment the police force in providing security and maintaining peace and order ahead of the influx of devotees from Visayas and Mindanao.
The police will mobilize over 800 policemen in key areas and public assistance centers to provide security from January 8 to 9.
Police Regional Director for Northern Mindanao Agripino Javier said security measures have been beefed up for the celebration.
“The security measures are all set in coordination with the city government and other law enforcement agencies,” Javier said after the security coordinating conference convened at Camp Alagar Thursday.
Police Regional Office spokesperson Surki Sereñas said all possible counter-measures to eliminate reported threats to public safety are being undertaken by joint security forces.
“Our EOD-K9 teams from the PNP (Philippine National Police), AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) and Philippine Coast Guard will be utilized. Covert security and intelligence operations were already stepped up,” Sereñas said.