AFP Centcom calls for vigilance after Jolo bombings
CEBU CITY—Be alert and vigilant.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines Central Command (AFP Centcom) issued the call following the deadly twin bombings in Jolo, Sulu last Monday.
Capt. Joe Martinez, commander AFP-Centcom’s 3rd Civil Relations Group, said the public should be vigilant and alert even if Central Visayas remained peaceful, and they have not monitored any possible terrorist attacks in the region.
“We urged everyone to be vigilant because security is a shared responsibility. People should be alert in their surroundings. We give constant reminder to our public that any suspicious individual or situation should be reported to authorities right away,” said Martinez.
Martinez said the people should learn a lesson from what happened in Bohol province in 2017 where a village was raided by Abu Sayyaf terrorists.
“We may enjoy peace and security now but the more that our security forces should be vigilant. Terrorists will just wait for opportune time to launch attack. Based on the lesson in the past, we became complacent with our security posture,” said Martinez.
Martinez admitted that what happened in Jolo, Sulu may cause fear among the public.
“Fear is a normal reaction when we hear this kind of an attack. What we are going to do is to manage fear by being vigilant and alert in our community,” said Martinez.
Martinez said it has been the reminder of the police and explosive ordnance disposal team to maintain an organized and orderly environment to easily detect unusual happenings especially in public places.
Marinez said Centcom has been on heightened alert due to the current health crisis.
Naval units are continuously securing maritime seas to monitor the ingress and egress.
“Leaving and entering in our ports have been very tight that’s we remain peaceful here,” said Martinez.
The heightened alert was also meant to thwart any possible attacks by the New People’s Army (NPA).
“We have been on heightened alert to strengthen our security posture because the NPA continues to attack our peace and development in the communities,” said Martinez.
Martinez said the passing of the anti-terrorism law was proven timely after the twin bombings in Jolo, Sulu.
“Time and again that we’ve been faced by this another terror attack and this anti-terror law is very timely. We now have a good tool to deter any attempt that will distort peace and development in Visayas areas,” said Martinez.
“With the passing of anti-terror law, we hope everyone will be in synchronized with the security forces. This law is not for law-abiding citizens but what we want for them is to cooperate with all the authorities so that the one who should fear are those people who have plans of committing violence,” Martinez added.