Security tightened in Caraga ports
BUTUAN CITY – Security has been tightened Monday for all inbound and outbound traffic in all seaports in northeastern and northern Mindanao, following the arrest of three alleged members of the Maute terror group in Iloilo last Sunday.
Additional security forces have been deployed to beef up port police personnel at the Nasipit International Sea Port in Nasipit, Agusan del Norte; the Lipata Ferry Port, Diosdado Macapagal Port, both in Surigao City; and the Cagayan de Oro City Port.
Aside from the special action force, regional, provincial and city mobile forces have also been mobilized to assist forces currently securing these international and domestic sea ports.
Chief Supt. Rolando B. Felix, regional director of Northeastern Mindanao Police Regional Office 13 (PRO 13) gave a directive to all field unit commanders assigned in these areas to heighten security measures of inbound and outbound passengers, including cargoes.
“See to it that all passengers would be thoroughly inspected without any exemption, including their baggages,” said the region’s police chief in a directive to all field unit commanders.
More K-9 group units have also been deployed in these areas.
He said police visibility in all ports in the region was also doubled and will be in-place on a 24-hours basis, including the Bancasi (Butuan) National Airport.
The checkpoint in the regional borderin Carmen, Agusan del Norte and Magsaysay, Misamis Oriental was also placed on heightened alert so that none of the Maute terror group members can enter northeastern Mindanao region (Caraga).
Felix said strict security measures must be thoroughly implemented to ensure the safety of the region, which is still relatively peaceful and that the no terror group has been monitored since the Marawi City siege started on May 23.
Nasipit International Sea Port is about 250 kilometers or more than five hours away from Marawi City.
Felix reiterated his appeal to Caraganons to be vigilant of any suspicious character, and immediately report to the police or Army authorities currently deployed in various areas in the region.
He said Caraganons have been playing a key role in continuously protecting the region from any lawless elements.
“This is the time for everyone to unite upang mapangalagaan natin ang region,” he added.
On Monday, elements of Philippine Coast Guard arrested three suspected members of Maute Terror Group in Iloilo City Port. They were found to have boarded a domestic passenger and cargo vessel from the port in Cagayan de Oro City.