PRO hoists heightened alert level in Central Visayas

CEBU, Philippines – Police went on a heightened alert starting 11 a.m. the other day to ensure the safety and security of the people in Central Visayas.

Police Regional Office-7 director Lani-O Nerez declared the alert status at 11 a.m. the other day, this, following reports on bombing incidents in areas of Mindanao.

Nerez ordered all police provincial and city directors in Region 7 to implement their respective operational plans to ensure the operational readiness of police units in responding to peace and order concerns.

He also ordered the lower units to intensify their checkpoints and increase police visibility on the different areas of their responsibility.

Sr. Supt. Louie Oppus, chief of the Regional Operations and Plans Division, said that as the alert is raised from normal to heightened, half of the police force should be ready on call.

Oppus said that police will secure different areas especially the big establishments and convergence area of the public.

Similar security measures will be implemented in seaports, airports, and land transport terminals.

As reported, five people were killed and at least 30 were injured after a bomb packed with nails and jagged iron blew up across the cathedral where Archbishop Orlando Quevedo was celebrating Holy Mass last Sunday morning.

Two days later, at least six people were killed and more than 40 wounded by twin bomb blasts in Iligan and Jolo, in what officials described as coordinated attacks by Al Qaeda-linked extremists. — Niña G. Sumacot/MEEV (THE FREEMAN)