Normin steps up security to prevent spillover of violence

THE head of Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) in Northern Mindanao assured that security measures are in place in the region as government forces moved to secure the boundaries of Lanao del Sur, Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental to prevent a spillover of violence from Marawi City.

Mayor Oscar Moreno, the RPOC chairman, said all law enforcement and security forces in Region 10 have been on full alert since Tuesday when government troops and the Maute terrorist group clashed in Marawi city.

“Checkpoints in key strategic areas are in place, and we are closely following the Marawi situation. Patrols are being made round the clock. I call upon our people to remain calm, but at the same time be always vigilant and observant,” reads part of Moreno’s statement from Thailand.

City hall spokesperson Maricel Rivera said it is “business as usual” in the city despite the declaration of martial law in Mindanao.

Rivera said the security measures in place do not include a curfew.

The Cagayan de Oro City Police Office said it has gone on full alert and was keeping an eye on its boundaries.

Senior Supt. Robert Roy Bahian, city police director, said he would be deploying more officers to streets and strategic areas of the city as part of security measures here.

He said the military would beef up Cocpo’s security forces.

Bahian said, “We are implementing pro-active measures.”

Vice Mayor  Raineir Joaquin Uy said he has met with security personnel of malls and other business establishments so they could step up their internal security.

Uy, who is serving as acting mayor, told a news conference that security measures were already in place.

“We have prepared for the worst kay basin na-ay mga spillover… at least preparado ta da-an ,” Uy said.

Councilor Romeo Calizo, chairman of the city council’s public safety committee, said all efforts were being made to safeguard the city against terrorists.

In Misamis Oriental, Gov. Yevgeny Vincente Emano called on town officials to step up security measures within their areas of responsibility.

Chief Insp. Mardy Hortillosa, Cocpo spokesperson, said residents of the city can help by providing useful information to the police.

“Ang Cocpo nanghangyo sa tanan Cagay-anons nga mutabang sa pagbantay sa palibot ug mutaho dayon sa kapulisan kung ugaling may kaduhan silang mamatikdan hilabi na jud karon nga aduna pay panag ingkwentro tali sa kapulisan ug militar batok sa Maute nga grupo sa Marawi City,” he said.

In neighboring Iligan, city police director Senior Supt. Leony Roy Ga ordered street patrols, noting that the city is only less than an hour’s ride from Marawi.

Leo Zaragoza, an Iligan lawyer, called the martial law declaration as a “positive development.”

Marawi, he said, is bounded by Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Bukidnon and Maguindanao.

“Under ordinary circumstances, it is not very effective to go after these groups as they can readily slip to these places,” Zaragosa said.

On Tuesday, suspected members of the Maute group ambushed troops from the 1st Infantry Division and police officers in downtown Marawi City, and took control of parts of the area causing panic among residents.

Tatar Boriongan, Lanao del Sur Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office chief, said the clash started at around 2 pm at the lower portion of the Mindanao State University Compound in Marawi City’s Basak Malulut village.

“Civilians now are in panic, there is tension in many corners of the downtown area, so we advised the public to stay in their houses as situation is still unpredictable,” Boriongan said.

He said even their team could not get out of the office due to reports that the Maute group had put up checkpoints.

Lt. Col. Joar Herrera, spokesperson of the 1st Infantry Division, said they conducted a law enforcement operation together with police forces in response to reports that suspected terrorists led by Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon were conducting community organizing among residents. But on reaching Basak Malulut gunfire greeted the government forces forcing them to fire back, he said.

The armed group has reportedly taken control of barangays Saber, Sarimanok, Mapandi, Amai Pakpak, the area near the provincial jail, Malutlut, and Calookan.

Resident Norhanidah Macatoon posted on Facebook photos seemingly grabbed from a CCTV footage in her house, of armed men with high-powered firearms wearing camouflage parading near Masjid Abubakar Markaz where the heavy clash took place.

“Allahu Akbar! Brothers and Sisters please stay in your houses,” she said.

A flag of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (Isis) was hoisted inside Amai Pakpak Hospital, which is near the city hall and the Army’s brigade station, a report confirmed by the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Humanitarian Emergency Action Response Team.

“I heard bombs and gunfire. The Isis flag was raised in our hospital,” Dr. Sainuddon Moti said.

Maulana Macadato, who was inside his residence during the siege, was able to take hold of an Isis flag carried by the group.

He said it appeared that the attackers were controlling the traffic.

Some teachers were able to get out of the Mindanao State University and flee to Iligan City, about 40 kilometers away from Marawi.

Armm Gov. Mujiv Hataman called for an emergency meeting and activated a technical management group monitoring developments in Marawi. (with reports from mindanews)