By Armando Fenequito Jr.
DAVAO CITY – The Police Regional Office (PRO) 11 has intensified security measures and intelligence monitoring following the bombing incident in a mall in Cotabato City last December 31.
PRO 11 regional director Chief Supt. Marcelo Morales has instructed all police units in the region to establish and strengthen checkpoints in the cities and municipalities.
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Morales said the maximum number of foot and mobile patrols will be deployed in the region, particularly in highly-populated areas.
He said all chiefs of police need to coordinate with private security providers and security managers to establish and enhance joint security protocols, and to intensify intelligence monitoring and sharing of information with other units.
"We will surely help in providing whatever information we have to the Cotabato police, being an adjacent city, for fast identifications of the perpetrators of this inhumane act," he said.
The region's top cop said there will be a duty police official who will make the rounds in all of police assistance desks situated in places of convergence, such as malls, churches, transport terminals, airport and seaport, to ensure all security measures are properly implemented.
Morales said he ordered all police personnel to thoroughly check their bags so that the incident in Cotabato City will be prevented here.
"We call on our people to be vigilant and continue their active participation with security forces in reporting their observations and by notifying your nearest local police stations, or thru PRO 11 Hotline numbers and social media pages for any suspicious people or activities happening in your locality," he said.
"Let us unite and continue our fight against violent extremism for the good of us all," Morales added.
Meanwhile, Morales condemned the act of violence and terror since these are not only and affront to the stabilized peace and order situation in the country, but more importantly, it is an affront to the sacrosanct value of human life.
"The perpetrators will be held accountable and we will not allow them to erode the newfound optimism of the people on peace and order," he said.