Bicol police on high alert after martial law declaration in Mindanao

Chief Supt. Melvin Ramon Buenafe, Bicol regional police director (Photo from the Philippine Information Agency)

LEGAZPI CITY – The Bicol police have stepped up their security measures after President Rodrigo Duterte declared martial law in the entire Mindanao on Tuesday night in response to the Maute terror group’s attack on Marawi City, Chief Supt. Melvin Ramon Buenafe, Bicol police regional director, said.

The security measures called for the setting up of checkpoints on highways and critical road networks, and heightened police patrols in areas of convergence and vital infrastructures such as airports, seaports, terminals, malls, churches, schools including power and communication lines across the region after the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Bicol raised their alert status on Wednesday, Buenafe added.

Raising the security measure in the region would mean placing the thousand-strong police forces under 24/7 full alert status, he said.

Buenafe, in an interview, said “raising the alarm would be a pre-emptive security measure to deter any move by lawless elements especially terror groups to sow violence, and fear among the community.”

The region-wide full alert called by the Bicol police director has mobilized hundreds of local police chiefs to increase police visibility and step up intelligence operation by closely coordinating with village officials in their areas of operations.

“Although we have not yet detected or received information about the presence or sightings of terror groups here, we should be ready for any eventualities,” Buenafe said.

At the onset of the martial law declaration, Buenafe urged the public to be more vigilant, responsible and report suspicious people roaming their respective villages.

Buenafe said fighting crimes and terrorism has always relied on an effective intelligence network. This system starts in villages where suspicious movements are immediately reported to authorities, according to Buenafe.  SFM/rga

RELATED VIDEO