Pagadian PNP beefs up security measures to prevent Zamboanga raid spillover

By Gideon C. Corgue

             

PAGADIAN CITY – The City Police Office (CPO) here is now intensifying its security measures following the clashes between the armed members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and government troops in Zamboanga City on Monday, leaving 10 people dead and 36 others injured.

City police director Genn Macario Dulawan said in an interview with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) that police men have been deployed in coastal and urban barangays following the City Peace and Order Council (CPOC) meeting called by its chairman, Mayor Romeo Pulmones Monday afternoon.

Dulawan also disclosed that checkpoints were already set up in all entry and exit points of the city with regular roving patrol.

The police chief said that prior to the CPOC meeting an emergency conference was called by the newly installed police provincial director Sr. Supt. Sofronio Elcadre with municipal police chiefs to discuss security plans for the entire province.

The entire police force was put on heightened alert to prevent the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) to slip into city. 

As to the text message being circulated stating “The MNLF will attack Pagadian City on Tuesday evening, harm its residents, burn their houses, and place bombs in urban barangays,” Dulawan said “the PNP validated it and found it to be false.”

Dulawan, however, appealed to the residents to remain calm and be extra vigilant.

“If they would notice suspicious armed men in their barangays they should call these hotline numbers: 09499533159- PCPO & 09999973709-ZSPPO,” Dulawan urged.

Meanwhile, the chief of police lauded barangay officials for quickly informing the police about the presence of unidentified men who were later identified as media practitioners from Manila who came to cover the standoff wrought by MNLF-Misuari faction in Zamboanga City. (PIA9)