Philippine Army soldiers from the 47th Infantry Battalion of the Central Command (CENTCOM) were deployed to secure crowded areas like the Cebu South Bus Terminal and the Cebu City Medical Center. They were ordered to augment the police during visibility patrols (CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA)
But police say there is no direct threat to the region
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has deployed its soldiers to secure bus terminals, seaports, and airports.
The police are likewise conducting several random checkpoints especially in crowded areas. And policemen, augmented by soldiers, have been ordered to constantly patrol areas near malls, seaports, airport and other crowded areas.
Both the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7) and the AFP Central Command (CentCom) have been placed under full alert status following the Davao City bombing which killed 14 people and wounded 67 others.
The Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) chaired by Bohol Gov. Edgardo Chatto convened yesterday at Camp Sergio Osmeña to discuss measures that needed to be taken to ensure peace and order in Central Visayas, following the proclamation yesterday declaring a state of national emergency on account of lawless violence by President Rodrigo Duterte.
The declaration paved the way for augmentation of police and military forces in the city.
The three-hour closed-door session was attended by officials of the PRO-7, CentCom governors, mayors, presidents of the League of Municipal Mayors and regional directors of government agencies.
Inspection
An entire company from the AFP was detailed in crowded areas all over the province yesterday.
Cebu City Councilor Dave Tumulak, together with military personnel and a few policemen, conducted an inspection of the Cebu South Bus Terminal (CSBT) yesterday morning.
Tumulak was tasked by Mayor Tomas Osmeña to take care of security concerns in the city.
The mayor is out of the country.
According to First Lieutenant Dexter Raner, company commander of Bravo Company, who also joined the checkpoint yesterday, they have around 100 personnel assigned all over the province.
“There was an order from the headquarters that we are on red alert, then we will conduct coordination with PNP, at the same time the local government unit. We’re conducting visibility patrols, visit ports and conduct checkpoint,” Raner said.
He said there are also troops in other parts of the province like in southern Cebu where there are also several ports as well as in terminals.
Raner said though that they will just be supporting the police force.
Unconfirmed reports
Chatto appealed to the public to remain calm especially with unconfirmed reports relayed through text messages and social media posts that could cause panic.
“We appeal to the public that if you are not certain with the text messages you receive, do not pass it on,” Chatto said.
The same sentiment was echoed by Tumulak, who urged the public to refrain from spreading unconfirmed rumors of bomb threats in the city.
Tumulak, who represented Mayor Osmeña, however, still warned the public to remain vigilant at all times, although he said they have not received any intelligence reports from the police or the military about a bomb threat in Cebu City.
“We’re encouraging the public not to be alarmed especially with social media posts spreading that there will be a bombing incident in the city. However, we also urge the public to help the government in gathering information and just remain calm,” he said.
He also raised the possibility that other lawless elements could take advantage of the situation.
PRO-7 Director Noli Taliño said they are verifying the authenticity of the information but so far, he assured that there is nothing to be alarmed about.
“Don’t panic just because of a text message you receive. Based on our assessment, there is no direct threat to the people in the region,” Taliño said.
A text message and Facebook posts have been circulating, which reads: “For public info. Attention. This was confirmed by Gen. Bato’s staff. Hello everyone in Cebu, please stay clear off malls for the time being. We received intelligence of four women from Basilan plotting to do suicide bombings in malls in Cebu. All malls are on high alert. Thank you.”
Confusion
Chatto said these text messages would create unnecessary confusion, chaos and panic.
“Let us be part of the solution of the current problem we have. Let’s not be part of the problem,” the Bohol governor said.
Tumulak, meanwhile, encouraged the public transportation sector like the jeepney, taxi and habal-habal drivers, street vendors, public market vendors, school teachers and those in malls to help monitor their surroundings for suspicious people.
Those living along coastal areas are also enjoined to monitor unregistered or suspicious vessels docking in their area and report them immediately.
Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza said the major places of convergence in her city have increased their security measures especially at the Mactan Cebu International Airport.
“I just had a meeting with barangay captains and tanods so that they would be aware that public places, especially those places where people usually converge, should have high security,” she said.
RPOC
Gov. Chatto said some members of the RPOC asked the police to post advisories on their website to guide the public.
The Department of Education and the Commission on Higher Education were also asked to take the necessary precautions to ensure the safety of students.
“These are precautionary measures. There is nothing to fear,” Chatto said.
But he emphasized the need to be vigilant and to help authorities avert terror attacks.
“While we stay calm, we keep our vigilance in place. I think that’s the most important way to address the current situation,” he said.
Major Gen. Raul Del Rosario, CentCom commanding general, said the Central Command has already augmented the police force in the region.
“An explosion has happened in Davao City, at the heart of the President’s hometown. If there are determined terrorists, they can really do what they want unless we do something about it. Prevention is better than cure. And so we should be alert,” he said.