Eastern Mindanao military under heightened alert

May 12, 2017

The military forces in eastern Mindanao was placed in heightened alert following the issuance of travel advisory of United States against possible kidnapping in Palawan, a spokesman said Friday. “The Eastern Mindanao Command (EMC) raised the alert level on Thursday, May 11, 2017 following the travel advisory of the United States to its citizens to avoid Palawan because of the possibility of kidnappings,” Major Ezra Balagtey said. Balagtey said the alert level was raised in case of possible diversionary attack of the terrorist group. “While the travel advisory was specific to Palawan, the Command had to raise the alert level in the area because of the possibility of terrorist groups shifting or diverting operations to Eastern Mindanao,” Balagtey said. “The EMC in coordination with the Philippine National Police, Local Government Units and other Law Enforcement Agencies are taking the necessary measures to secure the maritime, coastal and land areas against a terrorist attack,” he added. Despite their preparation for possible terrorist attack in Eastern Mindanao the military were urging the public to be calm and to cooperate with the government authorities by reporting any suspicious things or people in their community. “The EMC enjoins the public to be vigilant but calm and to immediately report to law enforcement units any suspicious-looking individual or activity in their vicinity,” he said. “ (In the) early morning of May 11, 2017 Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao conducted drills and simulation exercises to test and evaluate their capability in responding to terrorism,” he added. Amid the issuance of US travel advisory, Philippine National Police Director General Ronald Dela Rosa said police forces in the Mimaropa region are prepared for any eventualities. “I called of the regional director of Region 4B, General (Wilben) Mayor, I told him to do to everything so that the terrorist will not able to enter their area like in Bohol,” he said. “So he coordinated with the military, local government units and he check the capability of our public safety forces in the area… as of now, we can surmise that they are quiet prepared,” he added. Dela Rosa said he ordered Mayor to send available ammunition to the island provinces in his region as part of its preparation for possible attack. “I told him to send all their available ammunition to the island provinces because it is very difficult to reinforce them in case they will be attacked by New People’s Army (NPA) or terrorist extremists. It is difficult to reinforce, be sure they can fight sufficiently,” he said.  (Robina Asido/DMS)