Police, military on ‘full alert’ in Davao for BOL plebiscite

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 20, 2019): Police, military on ‘full alert’ in Davao for BOL plebiscite

The Police Regional Office (PRO)-11 has placed all police units on ‘full alert’ as the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) votes for the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law Monday.

"Davao, being part of Mindanao, and an adjacent region to ARMM, although we have not detected any threats in our region, we cannot let our guards down," said Chief Supt. Marcelo Morales, PRO-11 regional director, in a statement Sunday.

Morales ordered all unit commanders in the region to keep their personnel intact and to strengthen target hardening on all vital installations, economic key points and places of convergence.

Morales also ordered close coordination with the Armed Forces of the Philippines and other law enforcement agencies and to ensure high state of operational readiness to thwart any hostile action that may be launched by other armed groups like the New People’s Army (NPA), the Abu Sayyaf and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).

The Davao police is also taking the directive of Philippine National Police, chief Oscar Albayalde to strictly implement the gun ban.

PRO-11 already recorded seven violators of the gun ban set by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and has so far confiscated nine short firearms and 256 ammunition.

On the other hand, the 10th Infantry Division (10ID) is also supporting the peaceful conduct of the ratification of the BOL to end armed conflict in Mindanao.

"The 10ID supports the peace initiative and preparations of units involve in providing security assistance during the conduct of plebiscite for BOL,” said Capt. Jerry Lamosao, spokesperson of the 10ID.

Lamosao said units under 10ID are ready in terms of security deployment to prevent untoward incidents.

“We see no significant threat that may disrupt the BOL plebiscite. We also urge everyone to still be vigilant and report any presence of suspicious persons or baggage left unattended especially in places of convergence,” Lamosao added.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1059491