City cops on heightened alert after Marawi blast

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City police are on heightened alert after the bombing at the Mindanao State University (MSU) in Marawi City.

According to Police Lieutenant Colonel Janette Rafter, deputy director for operations of the Cebu City Police Office, since the beginning of the month of December, there have been successive events in the city that have attracted many people.

The CCPO has strengthened its security measures and the additional police personnel from the Police Regional Office (PRO)-7 headquarters will be of great help in securing the area as well as the people.

CCPO director Police Colonel Ireneo Dalogdog also ordered his men to coordinate with various sectors that can help in conducting law enforcement operations and information gathering on events in their respective communities.

Yesterday, Dalogdog with the Joint Task Group Cebu met with the Muslim community and in the following days they will also meet other sectors.

“Makipag-alayon gyud ta kay sila kining atong mga kaigsuonan naa sa mga tagsa-tagsa nila ka komunidad maoy nakabalo unsay nahitabo, kinsay nangabot sa ilahang tagsa-tagsa ka community,” said Rafter.

Even though no terrorist threat has been received, the CCPO will not be complacent but and will maximize the police presence and their other resources.

“Dili ta gyud mokompyansa sa mga panghitabo sa ubang lugar, we have to beef up our security,” said Rafter

The police also asked the people to work together to maintain peace and order in the city by contacting the police if they notice anything strange.

“Ato pud gihangyo ang atong katilingban atong mga tao nga manuroy while we enjoy the festivities let us also vigilant naa jud tay gipakatap nga mga kapolisan dili jud sila mag duha-duha sa pagduol ug pagsumbong sa unsa dili maayo nila namatikdan sa ilang palibot something unusual ilang namatikdan,” added Rafter. — (FREEMAN)