In the wake of the Marawi attack; Central Visayas on “red alert” status

CEBU, Philippines - Government security forces in Central Visayas have elevated its security status in the wake of the recent attack in Marawi City.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)-Central Command is in “red alert” status and they have alerted ports and sea borders for possible entry of lawless elements.

In a press conference yesterday, Col. Medel Aguilar, Chief of AFP Public Information Office, assured that while Central Visayas is safe and no threats were monitored, they will enforce security measures as means of prevention.

“We are already strengthening our security, on the southern border because it is the seas that connect us to the southern parts of the countries.  We will make sure (to) do everything to make sure we have peace in our area of responsibility” Aguilar said.

He said that part of the Central Visayas’s advantage against terror attacks is the active participation of the community and local chief executives by reporting suspicious-looking persons and not sympathizing with the terror groups.

“Considering the situation right here, we have very responsible local chief executives.  We have very cooperative people and communities.  So, right now we are in good hands” Aguilar said.

He said the AFP battalion deployed in Mindanao can assess the situation and there will be no need to augment any more personnel but, if in any case, the government troops are on standby.

“Malaki ang tiwala natin sa atong mga tao at sa ating mga kasamahan. Walang dapat ipag-alala ang mga tao dito.  Kahit walang threat, tayo naman ay hindi nagpapabaya. Magtangka man silang pumasok dito, we can take appropriate actions immediately. No terrorist will enter our area,” Aguilar said.

Police Regional Office (PRO)-7 Director Noli Taliño, for his part, dismissed speculations that the Mindanao siege is just another diversion to attack Central Visayas.

Although as a precaution, a mandate has been sent to police directors to enforce checkpoints in all entry and exit points, in public places including port areas, including inspections in RORO (roll-on, roll-off) vessels.

Taliño said ports and other entry points are being checked to ascertain terrorists will not be among the expected evacuees from areas attacked by the terrorist Maute group.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in Cebu is also on “red alert” status in view of the Marawi attack.

PCG-Cebu District Commander Dionelitt Ampil said that since the Abu Sayyaf attack in Bohol last month, they have been on alert status in all ports of Cebu until to now.

“Actually full alert status ang Coast Guard at hindi pa nagbaba ng status simula nang may nagyari sa Inabanga,” said Ampil.

He added that they were directed to enhance security monitoring in their respective Area of Responsibility and closely coordinate with the military and the police on security measures to anticipate any possible diversion or spill over activities from bad elements.

Meanwhile, Taliño refused to give any comment on the possible expansion of the martial law to the Visayas.

He assured that PNP personnel will follow the provisions of the law, as he discounted the possibility that martial law may be abused by persons of authority. — Mae Clydyl L. Avila, Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon(FREEMAN)