PRO 7, Centcom hold simulation exercise off south Cebu

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 29): PRO 7, Centcom hold simulation exercise off south Cebu

A joint team from the Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 and the Armed Forces of the Philippines Central Command (AFP-Centcom) on Tuesday morning conducted a simulation exercise in southern Cebu.

Centcom spokesperson Luzvimindo Mamauag said the drill was intended to show the public that law enforcement units in the island are prepared for any lawless attacks.

The Centcom, based in Camp Lapu-Lapu in Barangay Lahug, Cebu City, which includes Philippine Army, Philippine Navy and Philippine Air Force, has jurisdiction over all areas in the Visayas.

The exercise includes four naval vessels patrolling the coastal waters near Sumilon Island off Oslob town, some 121 kilometers south of Cebu City and the seas off Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental.

Centcom troops and PRO 7 personnel also set up blocking forces in the mainland while they go after kidnappers who are said to have abducted tourists from Sumilon Island.

The show of force was aimed at assuring tourists that Cebu, especially the southern end of the island-province, remains to be a safe place to stay on.

It simulation exercise was done in coordination with the West Mindanao Command and Camp Aguinaldo, the AFO headquarters.

The US Embassy in Manila issued an advisory last month asking its citizens to avoid going to southern Cebu towns including Sumilon Island in Oslob town citing kidnapping threats.

Mamauag said Cebu remains safe from any threats, but they wanted to prepare for possible kidnapping and terrorism threats, especially in southern Cebu.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=944270