By Nanette Guadalquiver/PNA
BACOLOD CITY — The 3rd Infantry Division (ID) of the Philippine Army, which covers the 10 provinces in Western and Central Visayas, has doubled its efforts to thwart any terror attempt in the wake of the Jolo twin bombings.
Major Gen. Dinoh Dolina, commanding officer of the 3rd ID, said in a statement on Tuesday their unit is one with the Filipinos in condemning the “inhumane and barbaric” act that claimed the lives of civilians and soldiers.
“(We) will double (our) efforts to suppress any terror attempt that would jeopardize the peace and security situation in the region,” Dolina added.
The 3rd ID covers the provinces of Iloilo, Antique, Capiz, Aklan, Guimaras, and Negros Occidental in Western Visayas and Negros Oriental, Siquijor, Cebu, and Bohol in Central Visayas.
He said that upon the directive of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) Central Command (CentCom) commander, Lt. Gen. Noel Clement, the Army, Navy and Air Force are closely monitoring maritime waters of the Visayas and all points of entry and exit in the region.
Clement said in an earlier statement that the AFP in the Visayas “will continue its efforts to quell any attempt that would affect the normal situation in the whole region.”
Moreover, Dolina encouraged Muslim communities to cooperate and work together with government security forces for their safety against those who promote violent radicalism.
“I would like to reiterate the call of the CentCom commander to the people of Visayas to be vigilant and to continue cooperating with your Army to prevent any terrorist group from casting terror attacks in the region,” he said.
Col. Noel Detoyato, AFP public affairs office chief, said Tuesday the bombing in Jolo, Sulu, which claimed the lives of 21 people and wounded 97 others, is an isolated incident.
He also said the military will take “extra precautionary measures” to secure the second Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) plebiscite on February 6 following the bombing incident.
