By Dominic I. Sanchez
ZAMBOANGA CITY – “The city remains on high
alert,” declared City Police Director Col. Angelito Casimiro in a press
conference Tuesday afternoon amid text messages circulating
regarding the entry of a number of groups in the city for a rally.
Col. Casimiro said that checkpoints are set up in key
areas and vital installations in the city to preempt any eventualities.
Early Tuesday morning, text messages spread about a supposed
peace caravan that will reach Zamboanga City, with some Moro Islamic Liberation
Front (MILF) members allegedly taking part. However, said caravan led by the
civil society group, Mindanao Alliance for Peace, was only able to reach the
Tungawan area.
Said group was to air its support to the passage of the
Bangsamoro Basic Law through visits here, including Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi
provinces.
“We reiterate the no permit, no rally, no caravan policy,”
said Mayor Beng Climaco-Salazar yesterday afternoon. “Zamboanga City is not a
part of the ARMM, or the BBL.”
Classes were not suspended
Mayor Climaco-Salazar clarified that classes were not
suspended yesterday, “since the situation does not warrant for that action.” In
the morning, parents hurriedly fetched their children from school upon
receiving such messages. Residents have avoided the city’s main thoroughfares
in fear of any eventualities.
According to the mayor, the military and police officials
had a dialogue with the group and asked the rally participants to return to
their places in Zamboanga Sibugay.
“Some of them were women and children, who wanted to show
their support to the BBL,” said Col. Casimiro.
“In a dialogue with the coordinator, we explained that it
is not the time for such an activity since the residents may become anxious
considering the number of people involved. Maybe in the future,” he said.
“If they want to show support to BBL, let it be in their
localities. Let us maintain the status quo,” said Mayor Climaco-Salazar.
The authorities have set up forces in barangay Licomo and
other entrance and exit points for additional security. “We will continue with
the full alert in the city” said Col. Casimiro.
Stronger police presence
Last Friday (Feb. 6), the City Peace and Order Council
(CPOC) with Mayor Beng Climaco met to discuss security concerns in the city,
including the presence of threat groups like the Abu Sayyaf and other
kidnap-for-ransom groups, as well as measures to maintain the security.
Col. Casimiro shared that there has been “stronger police
presence and enhanced police integrated patrol system,” complementing the
“strong checkpoints in entrance and exit points”. He has also been regularly
conducting a “weekly intelligence infusion” from among the different units in
the city police office.
Peace and order is everyone’s concern
On Monday, during the Philippine National Police’s (PNP)
24th founding
anniversary, Police Regional Director Gen. Edgar Basbas reiterated the need for
intensified community involvement and cooperation with the police to avert any
threats to disrupt the city’s peace and order.
“Maintenance of the peace and order is not only the
concern of the PNP, it should be everybody’s concern,” Gen. Basbas said. “Let
us work together and help each other to maintain the peace in our communities,”
he appealed.
