No ID, no entry policy in Zamboanga City stays

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — The no ID, no entry policy in this city will continue to be implemented as part of security measures in addressing terror threats with the lifting of martial law in Mindanao.

Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar, city peace and order council chairperson, said the CPOC approved a resolution to continue the policy during its first security conference on Thursday as it invoked the state of lawlessness in Mindanao and Section 16 of the Constitution.

Capt. Edwin Duco, spokesman for the Zamboanga City police, justified the resolution, citing the assessment by police and military officials that security threats in the region remain.

Duco also noted that Mindanao remains under a state of emergency under Proclamation 55, which President Duterte issued on Sept. 4, 2016, even though martial law was lifted on Dec. 31.

The police and military said they would continue to remain vigilant to prevent lawlessness by private armed groups, bandits, criminal gangs, terrorist groups and religious extremists in the region.