•PRO XI not taking chances as ARMM casts votes for BOL
The Davao Police Regional Office is on full alert for the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) plebiscite today and on Feb. 16.
Meanwhile, the 10th Infantry Division will also be working with the Philippine National Police to secure the legal exercise.
Chief Supt Marcelo C. Morales, regional police director, recalled all police officers to active duty effective Friday, Jan. 18. He also ordered random checkpoints and more police visibility to preempt any group that may disrupt the activity.
The ratification of the BOL replaces the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao with a Bangsamoro Region, which will get a guaranteed block grant and share from tax collections. At least 2.8 million people from ARMM are expected to cast their vote during the plebiscite.
“Davao being part of Mindanao, and an adjacent region to ARMM, although we haven’t detected any threats in our region, we can not let our guard down,” Morales said.
He said the police are on the lookout for terror groups like the Abu Sayyaf, Maute, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, as well as the New People’s Army.
Furthermore, PNP Director General Oscar Albayalde called on his men to strictly implement the gun ban, dismantle partisan armed groups, neutralize gun-for-hire syndicates, and account for loose firearms.
Based on records from January 13 to 19, the PRO XI has a total of seven arrested violators of the Comelec gun ban and three killed during police operations. More or less, nine short firearms and 256 ammunition were recovered in the same period.
“The 10th ID supports the peace initiative and preparations of units involve in providing security assistance during the conduct of plebiscite for BOL,” Capt. Jerry Lamosao, the 10th ID spokesperson, said.
“We see no significant threat that may disrupt the BOL plebiscite,” he added.
However, the 10th ID urged everyone to still be vigilant and report any presence of suspicious persons or baggage left unattended where there’s heavy foot traffic.
By Rhoda Grace B. Saron
