by Lilian Mellejor/PNA
DAVAO CITY – The chief of the Police Regional Office in Region 11 (PRO-11) on Tuesday called on the public to be vigilant and cooperate with authorities as police intensified security measures in all checkpoints in the wake of the bombing incident in Cotabato City on Monday.
“We call on our people to be vigilant and continue their active participation with security forces in reporting their observation and by notifying your nearest local police stations, or through PRO-11 hotline numbers and social media pages for any suspicious people or activities happening in your locality,” said Chief Supt. Marcelo Morales, PRO-11 director.
Morales said he immediately directed all police units to strengthen checkpoints in the cities and municipalities in the Davao Region following the Cotabato bombing that left two persons dead and scores wounded.
Foot and mobile patrols, particularly in highly-populated areas, were also mobilized, the PRO-11 chief said, while police units were directed to coordinate with private security providers and security managers to establish and enhance joint security protocols, intensify intelligence monitoring and sharing of information.
“We have heightened our checkpoints and security operations to preempt terrorists who may be hiding in our city,” he said.
Morales said law enforcement units in the region will also assist in gathering information to identify the perpetrators.
“We will not allow them to erode the newfound optimism of the people on peace and order,” he added.
Morales described the bombing incident as “not only an affront to the stabilized peace and order situation in our country, but more importantly, it is an affront to the value of human life.”
He added: “The entire Davao Region police force is deeply saddened and condole with the families of the victims of terrorism for they will spend New Year with pain and grief.”
