TACLOBAN CITY – Following last Monday’s twin blast incidents in Isabela City, Basilan that injured two persons and damaged four vehicles, Police Regional Office (PRO) 8 (Eastern Visayas) director Police Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac has directed all unit commanders and chiefs of police in the region to initiate proactive measures to deter any hostile actions by lawless elements.
"PRO 8 does not want something similar to happen in the region. Thus, all police stations are conducting inspections in potential terrorist target areas like shopping malls, vital infrastructure, mass transport terminals, public markets, hotels, schools, and other places of convergence."
Police are also conducting heightened checkpoints or chokepoints in main thoroughfares and possible entry and exit points.
The Barangay Information Networks (BINs), Barangay Peacekeeping Action Teams (BPATs), and other force multipliers have strengthened their intelligence operations.
Banac has also ordered all deputy provincial and city directors for operations to supervise the implementation of the directive. "Let us be more alert and cautious especially since these terrorists do not hesitate to create chaos anywhere they would please. Let us all be vigilant in our respective areas of responsibility to prevent any terroristic attacks," he said.