Threat or no threat, armored
vehicles here to stay - WesMinCom
By
Dominic I. Sanchez
ZAMBOANGA
CITY, January 21 (PIA) – There is no need to be alarmed over the presence of
armored vehicles that are currently patrolling the city, as this is one of the
strategies by local authorities to help ensure that peace and order is
maintained, amidst rumors regarding terror threats here.
“We
do not want to alarm people,” said Mayor Beng Climaco during a regular press
briefing held Monday (January 18) in City Hall, citing that it was the decision
of Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) chief Gen. Mayoralgo Dela Cruz to
deploy troops and armored vehicles in the city and the communities for regular
patrol.
Accordingly,
Gen. Dela Cruz ordered his men to patrol the city “whether there is a threat or
not” to ensure that peace and order is maintained.
Last
week, residents have been receiving text messages regarding an alleged rally
planned by Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) members in the city. As it
turned out, MNLF members were in the city en route to Jolo, Sulu for a
scheduled meeting with their leaders.
Military
officials during a peace and order council meeting Monday confirmed that there
was indeed an MNLF plan to stage a so-called “peace rally.” However, as
stressed by Climaco, she will not allow the MNLF to conduct any public rallies
in the city, since she, as mayor is given this discretion in the interest of
the city.
While
MNLF officials said that they will abide by the city’s “no permit, no rally”
rule, authorities here are nonetheless extra cautious.
Military
and police have been continuously monitoring the situation in the different
barangays. The Philippine Army’s Task Force Zamboanga (TFZ) for one is
conducting 24-hour roving patrols, checkpoints, as well as water and foot
patrols. Areas of concern such as the seaport, airport, bus terminal, power
plants, gas depots and other vital installations are secured.
Meanwhile,
OIC-City Police Director Supt. Luisito Magnaye said that authorities do not discount
possibilities of atrocities here, particularly since aside from the MNLF, there
are reported presence of the Abu Sayyaf and other lawless elements in the city.
“Bombings
and terror actions could not be discounted,” Magnaye stressed. “The threat remains.”