ZAMBOANGA CITY ? Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno?s frequent visits to Mindanao took a noisy, attention-grabbing turn here when he toured this city in a convoy of cars with their sirens screaming.

It was a marked contrast to the low profile visits he made in other parts of Mindanao in a sortie that many believed was his way of preparing for the 2010 elections as a vice presidential candidate but which Puno said had nothing to do with the elections. He?s been in various areas in Mindanao at least six times in June alone.

The latest sortie came June 28 here, when Puno, escorted by at least seven cars and sports utility vehicles with blaring sirens, went around town as if to announce his presence.

As his car passed by the city?s streets, the interior secretary rolled down his window and waved to the crowd.

?I thought some celebrity came over. I did not think it was Puno,? Gregorio Bulilo, a tricycle driver, said.

Bulilo said Puno?s June 28 visit here had all the makings of early campaigning.

Other residents pointed to large tarpaulin posters put up in major streets of the city, which bore the interior secretary?s image.

But Puno later told the Philippine Daily Inquirer that he was not campaigning.

?I am here to show my gratitude to the local officials,? he said.

He said he did not mind criticisms. ?This is public service but if this is politicking, then I don?t mind because it is good politics,? he said. Julie S. Alipala, Inquirer Mindanao