SECURITY Forces on Wednesday assured that they monitored no threat or possible spillover to Davao City following the recent bombing in Dimaporo Gym inside the Mindanao State University campus in Marawi City.
Speaking in yesterday’s AFP-PNP press briefing held at The Royal Mandaya Hotel, EastMinCom spokesperson Lt Col Ma. Cristina Manuel said Joint Task Force Agila, JTF Diamond, JTF Seahawk, and Joint Task Force Haribon were immediately activated following the terror attack.
“Gipakusog nato ang security measures for the possible spillover. So far, we have not received reports of possible spillover but we tightened security in the area and implemented the culture of security and best practices,” Lt. Col. Manuel said.
Meanwhile, Major Mark Anthony Tito, spokesperson of the 10th Infantry Division, said they are on heightened alert to preempt any security threat.
“Right now our soldiers are ready for any deployment if it is needed,” he said, adding that the Task Force Davao intensified checks on all entry points of the city in Calinan, Bunawan, and Toril.
“We are calling the public to please cooperate in the current security measures for the safety of everyone,” he further said.
Also, Lt. Commander Jerome Bryan Mauring, spokesperson of Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao (NFEM), said their personnel are conducting daily maritime patrols in their area of operations.
“At the same time, we have also monitoring tools being conducted so that we can support the Philippine Army and Eastern Mindanao Command,” Lcdr Mauring said.
For his part, Lt. Col. Marcelino Cabusas, Civil-Military Operation director of the Tactical Operations Wing-Eastern Mindanao, said air assets are on standby for any eventuality.
Moreover, Captain Hazel Tuazon, spokesperson of the Davao City Police Office, said Oplan Davao Defense system has been activated, which means strict checkpoints and more patrols by the different police stations.
Meanwhile, the 4th Infantry Division under EastMinCom is continuously monitoring the peace and order situation and conducting convergence efforts with different stakeholders, according to spokesperson Major Francisco Garello Jr.
The EastMinCom also nixed the information spreading on social media about a possible war between ISIS and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
The term “BBL” or Bangsamoro Basic Law no longer exists as it has been renamed the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) following its approval in 2018. Additionally, the observance of Ramadan this year has already passed, and a certain 2Lt Pedregosa does not exist in the roster of Officers in the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
“While we encourage the public to be vigilant against suspicious individuals, we also urge everyone to be cautious of the information they receive and share, as spreading misinformation can cause panic,” the statement said.
“All law enforcement and security agencies of the government will never share information that endangers the lives of our people. Kindly follow our Facebook page and other social media accounts to receive legitimate information,” it added.
