Security tight in La Union due to explosions

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union – Bomb-sniffing dogs and personnel of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) at Camp Oscar Florendo were deployed to various schools here yesterday to provide security during the opening of classes.

As early as 5:30 a.m., policemen were deployed to different schools to coordinate with school officials in implementing tight security measures.

At the La Union National High School (LUNHS), the biggest school in La Union, was inspected by Ilocos police director Chief Superintendent Leopoldo Bataoil.

Bataoil told The STAR that due to the explosions and the discovery of several improvised explosive devices on Saturday in Agoo town and in this city, they deployed K-9s and SWAT personnel to secure students, teachers and parents.

“We asked the teachers and students to be vigilant and we are coordinating with them to report immediately to us any unnecessary incidents and suspicious persons to prevent any crime,” Bataoil said.

He also said that tight security and round-the-clock checkpoint are being implemented to prevent any person from planting explosive devices in schools to spare students and teachers from harm. 

Bataoil, accompanied by LUNHS officials led by Dr. Consolacion Aquino, the principal, also launched the “Pulis Ko, Textmate Ko” program, which aims to help teachers, students and parents in the peace and order effort by sending text messages directly to the mobile phone numbers of policemen assigned in every city and municipality in the Ilocos region.

“Pulis Ko, Textmate Ko” stickers, which contain emergency phone numbers, were distributed and posted in school premises.  

Meanwhile, police here are looking into the possible involvement of several politicians in the two explosions in Agoo town and the discovery of several improvised explosive devices after two supporters of politicians were tagged in the blast.

La Union police director Senior Superintendent Franklin Bucayu told The STAR that one of the blast suspects, who turned witness, confessed to investigators that the two suspects arrested on Saturday night were supporters of a defeated mayoralty bet.

Bucayu said the witness told policemen that the arrested suspect Danilo Ramos, 52, was a suppoter of losing mayoralty bet Tess Dumpit-Michelena.

The witness also said that another suspect, Edwin Campos, 39, who was detained for illegal possession of firearms, was also a supporter of the Dumpits.