Security forces on high alert in Zamboanga

ZAMBOANGA CITY - Police and military forces in the city remained on high security alert following the twin bombings in the nearby island province of Basilan, a security official said Monday.

Senior Superintendent Angelito Casimiro, city police chief, said that the threat level in the remained at Category 3.

“The security threat level is high because of the incidents that transpired within the island provinces like bombings and kidnappings,” Casimiro told newsmen during a briefing.

Casimiro was referring to the bombing in Lamitan City, Basilan on Friday night and the kidnapping of a young Chinese businessman in Kabasalan town, Zamboanga Sibugay province last week.

The city police chief, meanwhile, said that the local police force is capable of defending the city from possible attacks by local terror groups.

He cited the security upgrade training by the US Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines (JSOTF-P) for the city police force's personnel.