By LITO RULONA,
Correspondent
THE Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (Cocpo) has raised the alarm signal to heightened alert status to imposed stricter police security during the preparation and celebration of St. Augustine City Fiesta following the interception of a two vans loaded with improvised explosive device (IED) suspected bound to key cities in northern Mindanao.
Cocpo city police director Senior Supt. Ronnie Francis Cariaga said he immediately raised the alert status and the possible sealing-off on the entrance and exit points in the city following the reported interception of IED’s from Marawi City.
“Nakadawat kita og information parte sa usa ka group nga nagplano nga mohimo og destruction dinhi sa Cagayan de Oro og ubang lugar sa Region 10,” he said.
He said the information includes the name of the handler of an IED that wanted to intrude in the city.
“We made an immediate check on the disclosed area but negative until such time that a van loaded with IED was intercepted before reaching Iligan City. The van was coming from Marawi City, Lanao del Sur,” he added.
Cariaga said he already instructed all police station chiefs and other units to widened their intelligence gathering.
“Igo ra man gud nila ibilin unya mosibat dayun sila. Magbinantayon gyud kita kay dili kita gusto nga duna na sab mahitabo sama adtong Limketkai bombing,” he stressed.
Cariaga said he also instructed the police to coordinate with other force multipliers like security guards in the malls and other establishments to monitor any unattended baggage.
On Friday, the 65th Infantry Battalion based in Marawi City has intercepted a white Innova and another vehicle loaded with improvised bombs, cellphones and some subversive documents.
Army’s Col. Joselito Pastrana, commanding officer of the 65th Infantry Battalion based in Saguiaran, Lanao del Sur, confirmed reports on the apprehension of vehicles with no plates.
“Upon approaching at the checkpoint, the suspected vehicle turned around together with three motorcycles that suddenly appeared at the tail of the military team and eventually made the gap from the subject,” as stated on his spot report.
PRO 10 spokesman Supt. Surki Sereñas said they are now verifying reports that the improvised bomb was intended to detonate in the city –– which is about to celebrate its city fiesta.
“This will become a challenge to our organization to assure the safety of the celebration. Nanawagan kami sa katawhan nga mota-bang. All of us should be vigilant,” he said.
He said all police officers assigned at the Regional Police Security Group (RPSG) will be deployed to Cocpo to help in securing the city.
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