COPS, COAST GUARD TIGHTEN SECURITY

Mayor Jose Espinosa III assured the public that the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) and the Philippine Coast Guard are tightening safety measures in entry points to the metropolis to avoid untoward incident.

Espinosa met with ICPO to tighten the security and deploy police visibility in places of convergence following succeeding bomb attacks in Sultan Kudarat wherein many were killed and injured.

“When Mindanao was bombarded weeks ago, I have already alerted our police to check on ports.

The PNP and Coast Guard have assured us that they are guarding our port facilities,” Espinosa said.

Espinosa encouraged the public to report to ICPO any suspicious package or bag.

ICPO operations chief Supt. Jowel Saliba said although the ICPO has not received report on bomb threat based on its risk and threat assessment, they are always on alert.

Police Regional Office (PRO)-6 Deputy Director for Operations Senior Supt. Jesus D. Cambay Jr. directed the ICPO to intensify the target hardening measures including checkpoints, Oplan Sita, and maximize police visibility in the metropolis.

“We appeal to the citizenry to be aware and cooperate with us. If you see an unattended baggage, do not touch it but instead call the attention of security personnel of the building. The guards have been trained on handling it,” Saliba said.

He added that the PNP has Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams to verify and check the content of packages or bags.

“I would like to tell the public that ICPO is continuously making efforts to maintain the peace and order situation,” Saliba said.

SOURCE: Iloilo City Government

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