Tugade orders stricter security in transport hubs, terminals

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade has ordered heightened security in all transportation hubs and terminals following the blast in Lamitan, Basilan, on Tuesday, July 31, 2018, that killed 11 people.  CEBU DAILY NEWS / JUNJIE MENDOZA

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade ordered on Wednesday heightened security in all ports and terminals in the country following a blast that killed 11 people in Lamitan, Basilan.

“We should not compromise or take for granted the safety and security in our surroundings, people and facilities. Issue alert and security protocols,” Tugade said in a statement.

He said transportation agencies should be vigilant for possible threats.

Tugade then extended his condolences to the families of the Basilan incident as he urged the nation to help prevent a repeat of the bloodbath.

“We mourn with the families of those who were killed. We must all work together to make sure this will not happen again,” Tugade said.

On Tuesday, 11 people were killed when a bomb exploded at a military checkpoint in Lamitan.

Malacañang condemned the attack as a war crime for killing civilians and other noncombatants.

“It’s an indiscriminate attack. It’s a fact that Basilan, of course, is an area with an armed conflict,” Presidential Spokesperson Roque said in a press briefing.

“Under IHL (International Humanitarian Law), you must limit your attacks pursuant to military objectives. You must limit it to military targets. You must avoid protected individuals, including civilians,” he also said. /cbb

READ: Malacañang calls Basilan car bomb attack a ‘war crime’