Lapu-Lapu police officers inspect the security of Olango Island in Lapu-Lapu City on February 11. | Photo courtesy of Lapu-Lapu City Police Office (PCRB)
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Police are ensuring that Olango Island will continue to be a peaceful and safe place for its residents and for tourists as they implement measures to strengthen the security in the island.
Senior Superintendent Limuel Obon, Lapu-Lapu City Police Office (LCPO) chief, said that they were coordinating with the barangay officials and residents of Olango Island in helping them strengthen the security of the area to prevent any possible entry of armed groups from Mindanao in the area.
Obon told Cebu Daily News Digital in a phone interview on February 12 that this coordination between police and the residents was part of the police’s ‘Target Hardening’ program.
“Ato silang giduaw pagseguro nga ma-motivate sila, ecourage and invite them nga mag-join forces sa pagbantay, hilabi na sa coastline sa ilang mga barangay. Kay basin gamiton ang Olango Island as transshipment or entry point gikan sa Mindanao,” said Obon during their visit to the island on Monday, February 11.
“Apil na ang armed groups, kay akong nahibaw-an nga ang atong mga mananagat lagyo mana sila’g adtoan. Moabot mana sila dihang dapita,” he added.
Read more: Lapu cops visit Olango Island for security check
Under theTarget Hardening program, Obon said that they would encourage residents to coordinate with authorities, especially on reporting people with suspicious actions.
Aside from this, he also encouraged barangay officials to subdivide the barangay into puroks and appoint purok leaders.
“In doing so, maseguro nila nga ilang ma-account ang ilang mga residents, hilabi na kung dunay modayo sa ilang lugar,” he said.
Obon also clarified that they had not received any threats of attacks in the island.
He again assured that the island is peaceful and safe.
Olango Island, which is one of the islands of Lapu-Lapu City, is a popular tourist destination for its beaches and for the migratory birds visiting the island./dbs