Armed Forces of the Philippines. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang on Sunday assured the public that the military remains on high alert amid the “possible terror threat” in Davao City.
Quoting Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Ramon Zagala, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said the uniformed forces in Eastern Mindanao “are on the alert and have always been on the alert even before the report of the President was announced.”
“We have more than enough forces to secure Davao City and its neighboring towns and communities. Task Force Davao and the PNP are in charge of the security of the city and its people,” he said.
The statement came a day after Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte told media that President Benigno Aquino III personally warned him of possible terror threats in Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Koronadal and Kidapawan.
Coloma said Lieutenant General Ricardo Rainier Cruz III, commander of the Eastern Mindanao Command, already ordered intelligence units to verify the reports in coordination with the Philippine National Police (PNP).
However, the spokesperson remained mum on the reason for the heightened alert.
Earlier, PNP spokesperson Chief Superintendent Reuben Theodore Sindac confirmed that the PNP beefed up its forces in the region but also did not divulge any details “so as not to compromise ongoing security operations.”
Nevertheless, Coloma said the government will respect the observance of Ramadan.
On Saturday, the Philippine Daily Inquirer reported that Abu Sayyaf senior leader Isnilon Hapilon may have survived a gunfight with the AFP despite being shot on the belly.
Hapilon’s death could deal a “huge blow” on the Abu Sayyaf because of his clout and popularity as the religious head of the group in Basilan.
The same military source told Inquirer that the Abu Sayyaf is planning to sow terror in Davao City, Cotabato City and General Santos City after one of their bomb factories was raided last June.
Abu Sayyaf’s bomb expert Abdul Basit Usman, who has a $1 million bounty on his head, was said to have been able to survive the attack.
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