The Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7) has placed the region under high alert status following reports from Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte that the city received threats from the Islamic State (ISIS) group.
Regional Intelligence Division (RID) Chief Supt. Rex Derilo said they have not received any report on security threats yet, nor found signs of any activity tied to the terrorist group.
He also said that newly installed PRO-7 Director Chief Supt. Noli Taliño directed their unit commanders to be on high alert.
“Taliño also ordered our intelligence units to intensify their monitoring. In turn, we instructed our men to be on the lookout for any unusual activities,” said Derilo.
He said they were coordinating with the different intelligence divisions in Central Visayas to increase their monitoring activity.
The intelligence community is composed of members from the armed forces, and other law enforcement agenices.
“As part of the intelligence community, we always checked out these individuals whom we called persons of interest. In relation to the ISIS, so far we haven’t received a single report yet,” Derilo said.
He also told reporters that they were always anticipating for any security threats from the ISIS.
“Ever since, we already strengthened our security. We secured public places, camps and police stations. But then again, after receiving the information coming from Davao City’s vice mayor, we need to enhance our security,” said Derilo in Cebuano.
He also stated that police personnel have been implementing routinary activities in the region to secure vital installations from any attacks.
In line with the high alert status, Derilo asked the public to bear with them as they were planning to increase their contingency plans such as setting up more checkpoints around Central Visayas.
“It would be very inconvenience in the part of the public, we understood that, but I am asking them to bear and cooperate with us because it is part of our plans on responding to information like security threats,” he said. /UP Cebu Intern Morexette Marie Erram