Moreno: Beef up checkpoints, start thorough inspections

By JOEY NACALABAN,
NITZ ARANCON, LITO RULONA with RICHEL UMEL
Correspondents .

MAYOR Oscar Moreno yesterday urged the police in the city to beef up checkpoints and start thorough inspections as the city starts preparations for the celebration of the annual feast of the patron saint of this predominantly Roman Catholic city.

“We cannot take security measures lightly, especially as the city’s Higalaay Festival events begin to unfold, and I hope that we will all understand and bear the inconveniences that may result from improved security efforts,” reads part of Moreno’s statement to condemn ïn the strongest terms” Tuesday’s bomb attack in Lamitan City in Basilan.

Lamitan Vice Mayor Roderick Furigay said the attack was the first case of suicide bombing in the city.

Moreno expressed his disappointment. “The Lamitan tragedy is brutally shocking… Inspite of all the peace initiatives the government has pursued, there are still forces that seek to promote war and terrorize our people.”

He called on citizens in the city and Region 10 to “support our police and peacekeeping forces as they strive to keep us safe and secure at all times.”

Moreno added: “We must also be vigilant in every way, and observe security guidelines our authorities would issue from time to time. Among others, checkpoints need to be enhanced, and the inspection processes to be made more thorough, as may be appropriate in each case.”

Army commander Lt. Gen. Rolando Joselito Bautista said the bomb went off away from the original target in Basilan.

Bautista claimed that the terrorists’ plan was foiled by the soldiers and militiamen manning the Lamitan checkpoint.

Had the van got past the military checkpoint, he said an explosion would have resulted in more casualties.

Bautista said, “I commend the soldiers  and CAAs for their action… at the expense of their lives. Terrorism is real and just within our midst, hence, I urge everyone to join our efforts to prevent and counter violent extremism.”

Camp Alagar stepped up security and target-hardening measures in northern Mindanao even as it ordered all police units in the provincial, municipal and city levels to safeguard cowded areas and guard boundaries.

Chief Supt. Timoteo Pacleb, police director for Regin 10, said authorities in the region were on top of the situation and ready to respond to crisis situations.

But Pacleb said the police units under him had to be reminded about the need to strengthen proactive security measures, adding there was no no cause for alarm.

Camp Alagar spokesperson Supt. Suri Sereñas said citizens can help by reporting suspicious movements to the police.

Sereñas said there was no credible report of an imminent threat in the region but “we cannot really discount possibilities.”

He said citizens can expect an increased frequency of checkpoint operations and police inspections in public places like malls and terminals, among others.