ALANAS
MORE than 100 police officers and selected barangay personnel in Mandaue City are now equipped to handle situations involving suspected improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
Senior Supt. Roberto Alanas, Mandaue City Police Office chief, said that with the present threat of terrorism nowadays, it would be crucial not only for the police and military but also civilians to learn how to detect and handle situations involving IEDs.
The civilians and police officers were given certificates for completing the Bomb Detection Course conducted by the MCPO led by Alanas.
Alanas was a bomb expert and has been trained abroad when once detailed in Central Luzon areas before coming to Mandaue City Police Office.
“Kaya ginagawa natin ito dahil karamihan sa mga nakadiskubre ng bomba ay ang mga civilian at ine-report lang sa mga police (We conducted this training because most of those who discovered bombs were civilians, who report these to police),” said Alanas.
After undergoing this training, he said that a person would know what to do if he would find a suspected IED in the barangay such as he would warn people immediately to stay away from the area.
He added that it is also important that people are vigilant especially in public places and be alert of suspicious people carrying and leaving a suspected pack or bag in an area.
“Lalo na ngayong Christmas baka may mga kahina-hinalang mga package o kaya ay letter bomb, mas mabuti na yong malaman natin (Especially this Christmas, there might be a suspected package or letter bomb. It’s better to know about these things),” he said.