‘No terrorist training ground in Davao City’

DAVAO CITY – There is no such training ground for terrorists in this southern city.

Local officials and business leaders stressed this as they slammed an Indonesian police official who was quoted as saying such in a story by the Antara news agency in the Singapore Straits Times.

"It’s true the district on the border with the Philippines has become an entry and exit point from Indonesia after terrorists finish training in Davao," Brig. Gen. Jhon Lalo, police chief of Indonesia’s North Sulawesi province, was quoted as saying.

Lalo’s statement has angered local leaders who take pride in the city’s economic growth and stable peace and order situation.

"It’s a sweeping statement that has no basis because no such training ground exists here. Davao City is not a training ground for terrorists," said Chief Superintendent Isidro Lapeña, Southern Mindanao police director.

Lapeña said Lalo might have mixed up his knowledge of Philippine geography, mistaking this city for other parts of Mindanao, particularly Maguindanao where Indonesian terrorists reportedly got training in camps of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Johannes Manginsela, Indonesian vice consul based here, said he has no idea where Lalo got such information.

"It’s not true. We have never forwarded such reports. We believe in the efficiency of authorities here. They know what is happening in every square inch of the city. If such training existed, then it could not have escaped the authorities," he said.