CAMP SK PENDATUN, Maguindanao –The Police Regional Office-Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao on Tuesday issued precautionary guidelines to all police units in the region in the aftermath of the Lamitan, Basilan bomb blast that left 10 persons dead.
Chief Supt. Graciano Mijares, director for the Police Regional Office-Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PRO-ARMM), said he has ordered all five police provincial and city directors, as well as municipal police offices, to establish more checkpoints and strengthen inspection of all types of vehicles and baggage in their respective areas of responsibility.
Mijares also ordered the provincial police directors to deploy the maximum number of foot and mobile patrols, particularly in highly populated areas, and to regularly coordinate with private security providers and security managers to establish and enhance joint security protocols.
Mijares said he wanted police manning checkpoints to be apprehensive and on alert for lone occupant (driver only) of any vehicle, and on foreign nationals in vehicles.
Mijares also directed the regional police intelligence units to intensify intelligence monitoring and sharing of information with other police units as well as military counterparts in their respective areas.
He condemned the bombing at the militia detachment in Lamitan City on Tuesday that took the lives of security personnel and civilians.
“We are in deep sadness at this moment,” Mijares said in a statement, describing the incident as an evil act aimed to ruin the recent ratification and enactment of the Bangsamoro Organic Law.
“Rest assured that the PNP ARMM is on top of the situation and doing everything to solve this case,” he added.
The ARMM comprises the cities of Lamitan and Marawi, and the provinces of Maguindanao, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Basilan, and Lanao del Sur.(Edwin Fernandez/PNA)
