BALER, Aurora , Philippines – The Philippine National Police has placed the airport and the seaports in Casiguran, Dingalan and this capital town under tight watch as a preemptive measure against possible terrorist attacks with the observance of the Lenten season.
Senior Superintendent Romulo Esteban, provincial police director, said that the Aurora Provincial Police Office is under strict orders from regional police director Chief Superintendent Arturo Cacdac Jr. to conduct mandatory security checks in all vital installations in the province such as airport, seaports and bus terminals and other transportation facilities to ward off criminal elements and possible attacks by communist New People’s Army rebels.
The operational plan was laid down by Cacdac through “Oplan Bantay-Lakbay.”
The Aurora police and the provincial tourism office expects the influx of people to go on vacation to the province to unwind and spend reunions with their relatives and loved ones, and go to the beaches.
Cacdac has directed the seven provincial police offices in the region and the city police station commanders to conduct special operations against criminal elements to ensure safety of shopping malls and transport terminals, assist motorists, commuters and the general public by conducting intensified mobile security patrols, beat patrols and traffic control.
Motorist assistance centers have been established in the region including the regular conduct of checkpoints. – Manny Galvez