The Philippine National Police in Negros Oriental has been placed on full alert following the encounter Tuesday between government troops and suspected elements of the terrorist group Abu Sayyaf in the town of Inabanga in Bohol.
Acting Provincial Police Director Sr. Supt. Henry Biñas called on barangay tanods, police auxiliaries, and the civilian populace to also cooperate with the police to ensure the safety of all during these times, saying the police cannot do this alone.
He cited the cooperation of the people of Inabanga which led to the timely discovery of the terrorists, enabling government troops to neutralize them.
Children were the first to discover the Abu Sayyaf terrorists who were cleaning their guns by the river. The children reported to their parents, and the parents reported to the police, resulting in the successful police-military operation that repulsed the terrorists.
The 79th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army has also deployed a team of soldiers for augmentation to the Dauin Police Station, south of Dumaguete, where majority of the beach resorts are located and where Apo Island is also nearby, said Biñas.
The Abu Sayyaf Group was allegedly planning to carry out kidnapping activities in the Visayas region, but intelligence information could not identify specific targets.
The intelligence report over the weekend had said that ASG elements led by a certain Alhabsi Misaya were on board two pumpboats, and had departed Sulu towards the Visayas, where they had “multiple targets”.
Law enforcement authorities have assured that they are not letting their guards down and are securing possible targets previously identified, such as Apo Island and the southern part of Cebu.
Sr. Supt. Biñas said the Philippine Navy and the Philippine Coast Guard continue to conduct seaborne patrols while intelligence operatives are already fielded out to monitor the arrival of suspicious persons from Mindanao.
Task Force Leon Kilat, a joint group of various government law enforcement agencies and which was recently formed, is now on the alert to prevent any untoward incident to happen here, he added.
Meanwhile, Biñas called on the public to take the necessary safety measures to ensure that their houses are not vulnerable to break-ins, especially on days when they are at the churches or on the streets in observance of the Holy Week.
For her part, Dumaguete Coast Guard Commander Lt. Junior Grade Donna Lisa Ramacho has ordered all the seaports in her area of responsibility to establish passenger assistance desks in Negros Oriental including Siquijor island for the safety and security of passengers.
She said additional personnel were also deployed in Apo Island, along with the Army and the PNP.
Ramacho said that they also have their own version of Oplan Ligtas Biyahe (operation plan for safe travel) not only to be instituted during the Holy Week but throughout the summer months of April and May. (Judy F. Partlow/Juancho Gallarde)
