ICPO beefs up intel in city’s coastal brgys

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BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA and RESEL JOY TIANERO
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Friday, June 16, 2017
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ILOILO City – As part of its security preparations for the possible spillover of the siege in Marawi City, the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) has revitalized its intelligence network in coastal barangays.

Yesterday, ICPO director Superintendent Remus Zacharias Canieso briefed the city council and barangays officials about ICPO’s anti-terrorism and anti-criminality preparations.

“Our coastal barangay intelligence network is our frontline. It monitors the situation on our coasts and report to us suspect activities,” said Canieso.

Of Iloilo City’s 180 barangays, over 20 are coastal villages, according to the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.

These could be the entry points of terrorists, said Canieso.

Dapat i-target harden nila ang ila barangay. Indi nila pagpasudlon suspicious nga tawo.  The information we get from the barangays is very important,” he stressed.

Today, the ICPO is simulating a terror attack in a security exercise in coordination with the Liga ng mga Barangay in Barangay Concepcion, City Proper.

Concepcion is a coastal village and hosts the Iloilo Ferry Terminal.

“Better prepared than sorry,” said Canieso.

Senior Inspector Shella Mae Sangrines, ICPO spokesperson, told Panay News the exercise will start at 7 a.m.

The exercise was originally scheduled on June 9 but heavy rains forced the ICPO to cancel it.

This time, it will push through rain or shine, said Sangrines.

A team from the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) will observe the exercise.

Other participants are the Bureau of Fire Protection, Iloilo City Emergency Responders, Iloilo City Disaster Risk Reduction Management, Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Army, and Philippine Ports Authority.

“Fire and earthquake drills are not enough. There should be exercises, too, on other emergency scenarios such as shootings and bombings,” said Superintendent Gilbert Gorero, spokesperson of the PRO-6.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) said it had not monitored any threat to Western Visayas from the Maute terrorist group that attacked Marawi City.

But according to Major General Jon Aying, 3ID commander, the declaration of martial law in Mindanao was favorable to the region.

It would strengthen the government forces’ efforts against the terrorists, he said.

“Some fear that the terrorists might seek refuge in the Visayas because of the military operations in Mindanao. That would be foolhardy for the terrorists to do. They have no civilian support in Western Visayas. Look at what happened to the Abu Sayyaf in Bohol,” said Aying.

He also described as remote the possibility that the conflict in Marawi City would spill over to Western Visayas.

The Maute group does not have sympathizers in the region, said Aying.

But he emphasized the importance of enhancing Western Visayas’ maritime security and the capability of the intelligence community.

“Kun makalusot sa aton maritime security, segurohon naton nga pagtapak nila sa duta sa aton mga isla, ang aton komunidad alerto para mareport agad kag maaksyunan kag ma-cordon sila,” he said./PN

 

 

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