Eastmincom on full alert after Jolo blasts

August 26, 2020

The Eastern Mindanao Command is in full alert following the deadly blasts in Jolo on Monday.

Maj. Alex Mindalano, public information chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippine (AFP) Eastern Mindanao Command,  said although the explosion in Jolo does not have direct effect in Eastern Mindanao they remain vigilant.

"The recent explosions in Jolo, Sulu, which claimed the lives of soldiers and innocent civilians on August 24, 2020, had no direct threat in Eastern Mindanao. However, we assure the public that the Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) and its ground units will remain vigilant and in full alert," he said. "Eastmincom Commander, Lt. Gen Jose Faustino Jr. has  directed the commanders of line units to ramp up their security operations to prevent the possible spillover of the incident in different areas within Eastern Mindanao," he added.

Mindalano said the Eastern Mindanao Command is also working closely with its adjacent military units and law enforcement agencies, especially with the Philippine National Police (PNP), to stay on top of the situation.

"We also urge the public to be vigilant and to immediately report to the authorities any suspicious individuals or activities in their area", he said.

"It is in this moment that all of us need to be security-conscious and that we need to uphold even more our culture of security," he added. Robina Asido/DMS