Eastmincom continues proactive ops to secure AOR

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 18): Eastmincom continues proactive ops to secure AOR

The Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) continues to be proactive and aggressive in the conduct of security operations in its area of responsibility (AOR) that include Regions 11, 13 and parts of Northern Mindanao and Caraga.

Eastmincom Deputy Commander and Martial Law spokesperson, Brig. Gen. Gilbert Gapay, said a total of 9,480 checkpoint operations and some 106 security operations to secure vital installations and critical infrastructures were conducted as of June 14.

They also established 3,628 Informant Networks to strengthen monitoring against terrorism.

Gapay said in the course of securing sea lanes, the Joint Task Force “Haribon” also conducts profiling and registration of bancas sailing along Davao Gulf, while the Bantay Dagat is being strengthened to secure sea lanes from terrorism and monitor the entrance of evacuees.

Gapay said apprehensions will be carried out to illegal and unregistered bancas along the Davao Gulf and other areas.

Meanwhile, the Police Regional Office-11 (PRO-11) has reiterated its call to the public not to post in social media any unconfirmed information of threats.

PRO-11 acting public information officer Sr. Insp. Catherine dela Rey said posting unconfirmed threat information could create panic and chaos to the public.

"It could be better if they noticed any suspicious looking people to immediately call the nearest police station and they could also text it to our hotline 0917-707-8547. Text immediately your information so that we can immediately verify it," dela Rey said.

Dela Rey recalled an incident two weeks ago when a banca with many people in it docked in Island Garden City of Samal (IGACoS) which was posted on Facebook by a netizen asking if those were terrorists arriving. It caused panic, Dela Rey said.

"Daghan kaayo ang nabalaka ato kay unsa na ba daw to, basin terrorista na nga niabot (Many were worried and scared because they thought that terrorists already arrived)," she said.

However, after verification by the IGACoS Police Station, it was confirmed that the banca was used by a family who visited IGACoS.

"Mapasalamaton kita nga vigilant na ang mga tao pero dili pud dayon ta mag-panic. I-inform dayon ang atong kapulisan para ma-validate namo, ma-verify og matagaan dayon namo og aksyon (We are thankful that people now are already vigilant but we should not panic. Inform immediately our police so that the information will be verified and validated for us to give appropriate action)," she said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/996137