The Philippine Navy’s intelligence group and the Philippine National Police in Negros Oriental are conducting a joint series of lectures to educate stakeholders, especially in the coastal areas, on the terror threat posed by the Abu Sayyaf and other similar extremist groups.
Acting provincial police director Sr. Supt. Henry Biñas disclosed Wednesday the PNP’s task is to gather a crowd of stakeholders in a specific area while naval intelligence personnel handle the briefing and lecture, such as on how to spot a potential terrorist.
Invited to the lecture series are barangay officials, local government executives, security guards and other stakeholders identified as “frontliners” in the fight against terrorism, said Biñas.
This is part of the Joint Task Group Deter’s operational plan to ensure that Negros Oriental remains safe amidst terror threat reports in the Visayas region, said Sr. Supt. Biñas.
Just last week, barangay officials and other stakeholders in the municipality of Siaton attended the intelligence briefing, which also includes lectures on information gathering and reporting procedures, among others, he said.
The police director said Dauin, where majority of the beach resorts visited by tourists are located, had also previously conducted a similar briefing, while Dumaguete and Sibulan are up next.
Sr. Supt. Biñas explained this will be a regular activity in areas that are potentially vulnerable to the terror threat.
Apo Island, famous worldwide as a dive destination, is among these vulnerable areas but Biñas reiterated that it is safe for local and foreign tourists.
Meanwhile, Sr. Supt. Biñas reiterated that the government security forces remain on full alert level despite Bohol being cleared recently of the Abu Sayyaf threat following the deaths of the last two remaining bandits there.
Joint patrols on land and at sea by the PNP and the Armed Forces of the Philippines continue without let-up even as Sr. Supt. Biñas reassured that Negros Oriental remains safe from the terror threat.
There is nothing to worry about, he said, despite the travel advisory of the United Kingdom against going to Badian and Dalaguete in nearby Cebu because of the Abu Sayyaf threat, he added. (Judy Flores-Partlow)
