Checkpoints set up in Davao City to foil possible terror attacks

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 29): Checkpoints set up in Davao City to foil possible terror attacks

In line with its efforts to foil possible attacks by terror groups in Davao City, the Eastern Mindanao Command announced that it has beefed up its checkpoints and patrols in cooperation with the Philippine National Police .

This was disclosed by Capt. Alberto Caber, Eastern Mindanao Command spokesperson, Sunday.

But he clarified that they are still validating reports that Basit Usman, an Abu Sayyaf Group operative with ties with the Jemaah Islamiyah and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, is the brains behind the threat.

"Our intelligence units are still validating this report. They are still determining possible plans, motives, and locations for this purported attack," Caber said in Filipino.

The Eastern Mindanao Command spokesperson stressed that terrorist threat can materialize in a form of a simple bomb attack or a car bomb albeit no confirmation can be made yet.

Car bombs are the trademark of Basit who is known to have perpetuated a series of car bombing attacks in 2002 in Kidapawan, North Cotabato.

He added that they are being aided in this endeavor by the PNP.

Aside from the police checkpoints, Caber said that travellers heading for Davao City, after the airport, need to pass five to seven checkpoints before being allowed entry to the area.

The Eastern Mindanao Command spokesperson said that passing through these security cordons will take at least an hour.

Aside from manned checkpoints, plain clothes operatives are constantly monitoring Davao City for possible infiltrators.

Caber said that checkpoints were also set up in the boundaries of Cagayan De Oro and Bukidnon near Davao City.

Signs with the hotlines of the local police are scattered all over Davao City to give civilians an idea on where to contact authorities should suspicious looking persons come to their areas.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=658037