THE Central Visayas Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC), headed by Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III, will assess the peace-and-order situation of the region next week after the trade minister’s meeting of the Asean that started last Wednesday in Bohol.
Davide set the tentative date on Thursday next week to ensure the attendance of other governors and top police and military officials of the region.
Bohol Gov. Edgar Chatto has his hands full with the hosting of the Asean Meetings by his province.
Top officials of the Police Regional Office-7 and Armed Forces of the Philippines Central Command are, likewise, fully occupied overseeing the security of Asean delegates in Bohol.
Chatto’s presence is expected to provide important insights in dealing with terror threats following the siege by the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) of Inabanga town, Bohol, on April 11.
RPOC is composed of chief executives of local government units (LGUs), line agencies, the police and the military in Central Visayas.
Expected to be at the top of RPOC-7 agenda is the possible spillover of the ASG’s presence in Bohol into its neighboring provinces.
After a running gun battle with government troops in Barangay Napo, at least eight members of the bandits who survived the fierce firefight eluded arrest and are being pursued by the police and military forces up to now.
The encounter left 10 people dead, including four members of the terror group, one of whom authorities believed to be their leader, Moumar “Abu Rami” Askali.
The incident also prompted Cebu Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale to urge all barangay captains in the province to activate their Barangay Intelligence Network (BIN), especially in coastal villages, to help thwart the entry of the remnants of the ASG who are still on the run.
“Residents could easily identify new faces who will enter their barangays. If they are the ones reporting to us through the BIN, chances are high their information can be reliable. They are the best source of information,” Magpale said.
Magpale advised village officials to immediately contact the nearest authorities or the Provincial Risk Reduction and Management Office if they notice suspicious individuals arriving in their areas so they could swiftly act on the information.
Sightings of armed men in Alcoy, Cordova, Argao, Carcar City, San Fernando, Samboan and Camotes Island were circulating on the social media and were relayed to the authorities.
But the Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) found no threats in these places after verifying the information.
Meanwhile, Magpale was not surprised of the special travel advisory released by the South Korean foreign ministry on Monday.
“I think it’s related to the Inabanga, Bohol incident. In fact, I’m expecting South Korea to issue a travel advisory considering they have the highest number of tourists in Cebu and Bohol,” she said.
There are at least 35,000 Koreans present in Cebu comprised of students, tourists, business people and permanent residents.
The US Embassy was the first to release a travel warning followed by the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada.
The vice governor admitted the ASG’s bold move in Bohol would have a ripple effect on the tourism industry of its neighboring provinces.
Quoting Chief Supt. Noli Taliño, director of the Police Regional Office-7, Magpale said Cebu is safe and that police officials assured her they would do their best to keep the province out of harm’s way from terror attacks.
http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/rpoc-7-to-assess-peace-and-order-situation-after-asean-meetings/
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