Army, PNP step up security amid ‘Abu Sayyaf terror plot'

From the Visayan Daily Star (Sep 11): Army, PNP step up security amid ‘Abu Sayyaf terror plot'

Law enforcement agencies in Negros Oriental yesterday were alerted on an unverified plot allegedly by the Abu Sayyaf Group to carry out some kidnapping activities in Dumaguete City.

Col. Allan Martin, commander of the 302 nd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army based in Tanjay City, Negros Oriental, confirmed that he and other law enforcers had received similar text messages purportedly from the intelligence community regarding the said “terror plot” and the “movement” of a certain ASG leader and his henchmen.

But Martin cautioned against circulating said text messages that he emphasized were unverified, so as not to cause undue alarm, especially among tourists visiting the province.

Still, whether it is true or not, Martin assured they are prepared all the time to confront and address any security threat such as this. In fact, this could well be a test case for the newly formed Joint Task Force, headed by Governor Roel Degamo, for a well-coordinated response by all law enforcement agencies involved.

One of the text messages supposedly from the intelligence community disclosed that at around 10 p.m. Wednesday, “the group of Muamar Askali with about ten armed followers (was) seen in the municipality of Omar, Sulu”.

The text message further read that the group was planning to conduct kidnapping activity in Dumaguete, and that they will travel about “800 osuk bato” (kilometer in the Tausug dialect) and will depart anytime from the abovementioned place in Sulu.

Some lines in the same text message were in the Tausug dialect, which appeared to be discussing the distance to Dumaguete and the supposed armed men's target.

Another text message mentioned the exact information but was differently worded and coming from another intelligence source.

Amid all this, Martin said all law enforcement agencies are now being alerted to step up security, particularly in the southern portion of Negros Oriental, where majority of the resorts can be found.

In the case of the Philippine Army, he said they have already identified areas where they will deploy personnel, in coordination with the Philippine National Police, as “the Army could not saturate the whole coastline”.

“We are not just guarding Dumaguete. We will be guarding the whole coastline in the southern tip of Negros Island, that will be up to Sipalay (Negros Occidental),” he added.

A source said the Task Unity Maritime Security, composed of the Philippine Coast Guard, the Philippine Navy and the RMU, is now initiating action on said intelligence report and will be deploying a navy boat to Negros Oriental.

Martin said they will also coordinate with the Philippine Navy as to what areas they will be deployed.

Resort owners were also summoned and/or informed of the supposed kidnapping plot and to be extra vigilant in securing their respective premises.

One resort owner in Dauin, Negros Oriental, has also reported that a black sedan was observed to have arrived at the vicinity of his resort three times but nobody had alighted from the car.

Senior Supt. Dionard Carlos, OIC provincial police director, said he has already alerted all the police chiefs in the province, while the Dumaguete police chief, Supt. Jovito Atanacio, said he has also alerted his men, especially those in the intelligence section.

Martin said law enforcers are stepping up security measures in the southern coast of the province and not quite so in the wharves, ports and airports.

The Dumaguete Coast Guard station, headed by Lt. Junior Grade Jude Greannata, could not be contacted for comment as to whether they would also be patrolling the shores of Negros Oriental.

“We will be harnessing all other agencies to act on this,” Martin said.

All security forces in Negros Oriental are attending a two-day workshop yesterday and today as part of the creation of the Joint Task Force to define the roles of each agency in the different task groups on how to respond to, or address threat groups and/or situations, he added.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2015/September/11/negor1.htm