Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Amid reports of looming terrorist threat in Davao City, Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II assured on Monday that imposing a travel ban in the Davao Region is unnecessary, stressing that extra vigilance among citizens is the best response to possible danger.
Roxas, in a hastily called press briefing, said that they would not advise the public to refrain from traveling to and from Davao despite the heightened preparation of the government security forces for a “possible terrorist threat to peace and security in Mindanao, particularly the Davao Region.”
“Let us be calm but let us be alert,” he said, pointing that he shared the same reminder to the public with Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.
On Sunday, Roxas personally met with Duterte in Davao City to ensure that all security forces, particularly the police, in Mindanao are on alert for any possible terrorist attack.
But the Interior Secretary urged citizens in Davao to report immediately to the authorities any suspicious persons, or even packages, they could possibly encounter.
“Kung may napupuna tayong kakaiba, mga estranghero, mga bagong dating (sa city), mga bag na walang nagmamay-ari o kung ano man, iparating natin ito sa mga authorities nang sa gano’n ay ating ma-imbestigahan,” he said.
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