CEBU, Philippines - "Still in full alert status."
This was the statement of Police Regional Office-7 Director Noli Taliño on the status of security in Cebu more than two months after the bombing in Davao City last September.
Recent incidents like the ambush in Marawi City involving the security group of President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday have also prompted the police to retain the security level.
"Yes, as of kahapon (Tuesday), may mga instruction na ako sa provincial and city directors na paigtingin yung kanilang security operation dahil dun sa mga developments na nangyayari," Taliño said.
Meanwhile, Taliño said they will conduct checkpoints if needed.
"If kinakailangan mag-checkpoint ulit gagawin natin yun. Depende sa situation natin if may ma-monitor tayung kailangan mag-checkpoint gagawin natin," he said when asked if the Philippine National Police in Central Visayas is in need to conduct checkpoints due to the incidents happened in other areas outside Region 7.
"It depends on the situation either mobile check point, random checkpoint, or fix checkpoint," he added.
He said that because highly urbanized cities like Cebu are possible targets of terrorism, they continue to work with the community at the grassroots level. He said Muslim leaders here are supportive of the police and dialogues are constant for information sharing.
In Lapu-Lapu City, Chief Inspector Junnel Caadlawon, the chief of operations of the city police office, said authorities cannot be complacent because Mactan Island is a top tourist destination.
"Force multipliers in the barangay, the Philippine Air Force, Navy and tourist police are among the elements that coordinated with LCPO," Caadlawon said.
The Aviations Security Unit-7 based at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport is also providing additional security.
"Hotels and resorts are well-guarded by our tourist police, while the city's ports as well as the Marcelo Fernan Bridge and Mandaue-Mactan Bridge are secured," he said.
Security here was heightened further when the Police Regional Office-7 received information that a group of bandits allegedly arrived in the region last October, followed by the US Embassy's advisory about security threats and the fiesta celebration of Our Lady of the Rule last month. (FREEMAN)