Full Alert

• PNP director: ‘Preempt any diversionary attack’

THE DAVAO Police Regional Office has imposed a full alert status in the region following the Saturday attack in Sulu.

Brig. Gen. Marcelos Morales, the police regional director, instructed all his police commanders in the regions to “strictly” enforce all possible actions “to preempt any diversionary attack by the terrorist groups.”

He ordered for the establishment or strengthening of checkpoints in the cities and municipalities.

The police general also ordered the deployment of maximum number of foot and mobile patrols, particularly in highly populated areas.

Morales also ordered for an intensified intelligence monitoring and sharing of information with other intelligence units, aside from coordination with private security providers and security managers to establish and enhance joint security protocols.

The police regional director strongly condemned the June 28 terrorist attack in Sulu that killed eight and wounded 12 others, including civilians.

Two suicide bombers staged the attack at the headquarters of the Philippine Army’s 1st Brigade Combat Team in Sitio Tanjung, Kajatian, Indanan.

“Our thoughts and

prayers go to the families of the victims and survivors as we stand in solidarity with all the people of Sulu at this difficult time,” Morales said.

“We, the PNP (Philippines National Police) and AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) will remain strong and resilient as solid government forces and we will not allow the rule of violence to triumph,” the regional police chief said.

He added that the authorities will “hunt you down and will never bow to your stupid and senseless ideologies.”

Morales said “the perpetrators of this abhorrent act thought that they can defeat the government with this heinous attack. Well, they were wrong. “

“Our country is not a playing ground for ragtag groups with their misguided philosophies,” he said.

Likewise, the police director urged the people to “remain vigilant as I encourage everyone to continue their active participation with security forces in reporting any observations they have since we cannot afford to take chances whenever there is a threat of a terrorist activity.”

“The goal of terrorists is to divide us. Now is the time to come together to denounce violence as it has no place in our society,” he said.