Tight security measures in Oro, Misor

By LITO RULONA
Correspondent .

POLICE further strengthened security measures in the city and neighboring towns as authorities went on full alert.

City police director Senior Supt. Nelson Aganon ordered more target-hardening measures especially in crowded areas in an effort to thwart off terrorist attacks.

Aganon’s order was in response to last week’s declaration of full alert by police director for northern Mindanao Chief Supt. Timoteo Pacleb due to the series of bomb attacks in some Mindanao areas.

Aganon ordered police stations in the city to closely coordinate with barangay officials and make use of the ronda tanod as “force multipliers,” said Cocpo spokesman Supt. Mardy Hortillosa II.

In Misamis Oriental, authorities also heightened security measures but Gov. Yevgeny Vincente Emano noted during a Provincial Peace and Order Council meeting that the province needed more police officers.

Emano noted that the police-to-population ratio in the province is 1:2,000 and 1:2,500. He said the ideal ratio is 1:500.

Emano said no matter how active the police and Armed Forces are, without the support of the people, it would be difficult to attain security for all. He urged the public to vigilant and report to the police any suspicious-looking people or activities near them.

Misamis Oriental police director Senior Supt. Rolando Destura, meanwhile, assured the police authorities are ready to implement heightened security measures especially the installation of more checkpoints along the streets to deter bad elements in the province.

Underscoring the importance of maintaining peace to tourism, the council discussed on the strengthening checkpoints and establishment of more checkpoints as among the efforts to maintain peace and order in the province and neighboring cities and provinces. (with pia report)