Abalos orders intensified campaign vs loose guns, increased police visibility
By Chito Chavez
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin “Benhur’’ Abalos has ordered the Philippine National Police (PNP) to intensify its campaign against loose firearms and ensure intense police visibility on the streets to deter criminal acts amid the three separate ambush on local executives.
In the past few days, the ambush incidents of Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal “Bombit” Alonto-Adiong, Jr., Vice-Mayor Rommel Alameda of Aparri, Cagayan and si Mayor Ohto Montawal of Tunggol, Datu Montawal, Maguindanao del Sur raised a public alarm.
Adiong and Mayor Montawal survived the ambush but Alameda was not so lucky and was killed during the ambush along with five other people.
Adiong's four security personnel, including three policemen, also died in the attack.
Abalos also ordered the PNP to enhance the government’s campaign against private armies and gun runners particularly in Mindanao.
“Kailangang tukuyin at buwagin ang mga PAGs na ito at kumpiskahin ang loose firearms na nasa kanilang pag-aari na maaaring ginagamit nila sa mga iligal na gawain (There is a need to dismantle these PAGs and confiscate their loose firearms that they use in their unlawful activities),’’ Abalos said.
The DILG chief also appealed to the public to support the government’s call for a safe and a orderly society, saying “we are all in this together.’’