Higalaay security task force still in place: Moreno

By NITZ ARANCON
Correspondent .

MAYOR Oscar Moreno over the weekend said the Higalaay Security Task Force which he created for the fiesta celebration last month would continue to exist and carry out the same security measures in the city in the wake of the Tuesday night bombing in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat.

Moreno said this even as he expressed his disappointment over the bomb attack which he opined could erode investors’ confidence on Mindanao.

He said, “Kadtong  nga investors, labi na kadtong wala pa maka-invest, maghuna-huna gyud sila nga, ‘Unsa ba ni, is it really worth investing in with all these things happening?’”

He said he was worried over the prospects of another wave of travel advisories on Mindanao by foreign governments and on how these could negatively impact on the economy.

“No matter how far this  problem might be, all of us here in Mindanao will affected. Walay makatago niana nga problema,” Moreno said. “Magaka-anognan ba ako nga sa atong pamingkamot, nga ma-promote nato ang atong syudad, and then suddenly, these things happened.”

He said local officials were taking the matter seriously. That is why, he said, the Higalaay Security Task Force under city police director Senior Supt. Nelson Aganon, have been tasked to further heighten security operations in the city.

The task force includes other law enforcement agencies, the military and the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Department.

“I condemn that barbaric act  in the strongest possible terms, and I hope the government would be  able to arrest the perpetrators and bring them to the bar of justice,” said Moreno.

He called on citizens to help the government by being vigilant and cooperate with authorities.

“Kinahanglan makigbisog gyud ta, and we have to get involved. We have to take part in these security measures especially on the hardening side,” he said.

Councilor Romeo Calizo, chairman of the city council’s police committee, said there was no need to “double” or “triple” security efforts in the city and Region 10 to avoid a repeat of the bomb attack.

A retired general, Calizo said, “What is important is implementation of the security plan kay bisan ikanapolo pa nato i-step up ang security measures, apan dili ma-fully implement, walay gihapoy kuwenta.”