Capitol to display French flag tri-colors

THE Cebu provincial government will display the tri-colors of the French flag as a show of sympathy following Friday’s terrorist attack than killed more than 120 people in Paris.

“We condole with the families of those who died and were mercilessly murdered by terrorists. We are in solidarity with the French government,” Cebu Gov. Hilardio Davide told reporters yesterday.

No Filipinos were reported dead or injured in the gun assaults in cafes and a concert hall by members of the the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS).

Just two two weeks ago, the governor was with French Ambassador to the Philippines Theirry Mathou for the turnover of a relocation site for Yolanda survivors in Daanbantayan town, north Cebu.

The French government turned over a 128-unit village in barangay Paypay, the first fully developed resettlement site for typhoon victims in the country.

Each 30-square-meter house has a bathroom, latrine, septic tank, and a decentralized treatment system for waste water.

Davide said the Cebu provincial government owes “a huge debt” to the French government, especially at the height of typhoon Yolanda in 2013.

“They sent relief goods and medical personnel. They went to the northern part of Cebu to assist in the relief operations there,” he said.

The governor said Filipinos should remain vigilant.

“We don’t know. These terrorists can strike anytime,” he said.

Davide said he would invite the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) for a security briefing during the next Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) meeting.

Chief Supt. Prudencio Bañas, police regional director, said a full alert status has been declared nationwide.

All leaves of police personnel are canceeled; they were ordered back to their posts.

At least 800 police personnel from various units were sent to Manila for security duties for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) conference.