Agusan del Norte may implement 12 midnight curfew

June 13, 2017

The local government in Agusan Del Norte may soon implement curfew hours within the province "for the duration of martial law in Mindanao." In a press release Tuesday, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) said curfew hours will be observed from 12 midnight to 4 o’clock in the morning. “In a report to DILG Officer-in-Charge Catalino Cuy, Regional Director Lilibeth Famacion said that the Agusan del Norte Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) enacted Resolution No. 2017-02 recommending the said curfew hours to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan,” it stated. Farmacion emphasized the importance of curfew in suppressing of local terrorism, drug-related incidents and lawless violence in Caraga despite its distance from Marawi City where the military operation against the Maute Group were ongoing. “Agusan del Norte is approximately 275 kilometers or six hours and 30 minutes away from Marawi City,” it said. The DILG emphasized aside from implementation of curfew hours, the Philippine National Police (PNP) are implementing security measures in the province that includes checkpoint operation. “The Philippine National Police (PNP) is strictly implementing “Oplan Sita” (checkpoint) in the entire province. This is a police operation of conducting unannounced searches to motorists to track recent crimes,” the agency noted. “Conduct of joint checkpoints are also intensified within the province and security operations are conducted in cooperation with all security counterparts,” it added. The agency also emphasized “power and communication facilities like sub-stations, towers, and the like are heavily guarded in all areas.” The DILG noted that the “local government units and non-government agencies were likewise advised to coordinate with proper authorities when conducting monitoring activities and field works.” “Offices with employees assigned in remote areas are also mandated to establish monitoring mechanisms and complete databank to monitor the whereabouts of their staff,” it said. (Robina Asido/DMS)