Armm police in full alert after Basilan blast

THE Police Regional Office (PRO) in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm) went on full alert status following the bombing incident in Lamitan City, Basilan, that killed 11 people on Tuesday, July 31.

PRO-Armm Director Graciano Mijares said policemen in the region were ordered to beef up checkpoints and foot and mobile patrolling, especially in highly populated areas.

He said they will also intensify coordination with other security forces to strengthen intelligence monitoring and sharing.

Among those killed in the Basilan explosion were a soldier, five Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit (Cafgu) personnel, and four civilians, including a child and a woman who were relatives of the killed Cafgu men.

They died when an improvised explosive device (IED) placed inside a van exploded in a checkpoint in Sitio Bulanting, Barangay Colonia in Lamitan City shortly before 6 a.m. Tuesday, July 31.

The driver of the van also died in the incident. Mijares said a special investigation task group was created to take part in the investigation.

"We are in deep sadness at this moment. This incident is an act to ruin the recent ratification and enactment of the Bangsamoro Organic Law that will pave way for achieving lasting peace in Muslim Mindanao," he said.

"We are appealing to the public to be extra vigilant and alert at this time and to report any information that might help to solve the case," he added.

For his part, Northern Mindanao Command Police Regional Officer Director Timoteo Pacleb said he has ordered his men to intensify their target hardening measures to avoid any similar incidents from happening again.

He, however, urged the public to calm down and not panic as there is “really no cause for alarm.”

"Let us just all be vigilant by reporting dubious personalities or suspicious activities happening in your surroundings," said Pacleb.

"Although no report of imminent threat has been monitored as of late, we cannot really discount possibilities. Hence, we must always be vigilant," he added. (Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo/SunStar Philippines)