Military’s Zamboanga camp now bombproof

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines—The entrance to the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Western Mindanao Command headquarters is now bombproof.

“We cannot wait for any bomb explosion for us to improve our security system,” Wesmincom chief Lieutenant General Raymundo Ferrer said during the unveiling of the P5-Million Control Entry Point Facility.

Lieutenant Colonel Randolph Cabangbang, Wesmincom spokesperson, said the Control Entry Point has bulletproof shields, bombproof security control with gun tower and CCTV cameras.

“With the onset of renewed terror plots, it’s better that we also improve our camps, and this structure, in a way, is aimed at reducing casualties,” Cabangbang said.

Ferrer said the Philippine-US Joint Special Operations Task Force Philippines (JSPTFP) designed the structure along the same lines as its own base security.

Outgoing JSOTFP commander Captain Robert Gusentine said their intention was not to deprive ordinary people access to the base but to decongest traffic at the main gate.

Gusentine said the facility will also provide “shelter with better lighting” for the guards on duty.

Cabangbang said any terrorist who plans to get inside the military camp “will have to pass through different layers of security inspection.”

“In case of a car bomb explosion, the number of casualties will be minimized and our guards have better protection inside the bomb-proof post,” he added.