PRO-7 beefs up intel monitoring following terror threat in Davao

CEBU, Philippines - The Police Regional Office-7 has also intensified its intelligence monitoring following reports of terrorist threat in Davao City.

Regional Intelligence Division chief, Supt. Pablo Labra II, said there is no reason to be complacent even if there is no direct threat to Cebu and other parts of Central Visayas.

Labra said he has coordinated with his counterparts in the military and even with the Muslim community.

“Bisan wala ta’y threat hingusgan gihapon nato atong intelligence efforts to avoid terroristic activity,” Labra said.

Labra appealed to the public to help the police by reporting any suspicious looking persons in their community.

Cebu City Intelligence Branch chief, Supt. Romeo Santander, said they are also coordinating with the National Commission of Muslim Filipino communities and the Office of the Muslim Affairs.

“Aside from that, we are also seeing with the police auxiliary group as well as barangay officials and force multipliers to broaden our monitoring,” Santander said.

Security forces in Mindanao, especially Davao City, have been placed under full alert status because of intelligence report that Islamic militants were sighted in the area.

The sightings were reported following the arrest of Khair Mundos, an expert bomb maker and “spiritual leader” of Al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf group.

Local officials in Mindanao have been meeting with security officials since Saturday to ensure the safety of vital installations like shopping malls, parks, and transport terminals.

Security has been beefed up in Mindanao with military personnel conducting checkpoints.— /FPL (FREEMAN)