THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) in Northern Mindanao are joining forces to thwart possible terror attacks anywhere in the region following the two bombing incidents in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat which scored deaths and injuries to civilians.
Chief Superintendent Timoteo Pacleb, director of the Police Regional Office (PRO)-Northern Mindanao, has directed all police units to enhance coordination with government soldiers through the Joint Peace and Security Coordinating Council (JPSCC) mechanism.
Pacleb reminded his men on the upgraded full alert status and reiterated his order to undertake an intensified police operations and establish border control operations to preempt unlawful activity of any threat groups.
"The PRO-Northern Mindanao director ordered the PNP to work alongside the AFP to prevent terror attack in the region," PRO-Northern Mindanao spokesperson Superintendent Surki Serenas said.
Serenas said the military and the police will be made to strengthen intelligence fusion while the police are beefing up target hardening measures.
These measures include intelligence exploitation and covert operations, checkpoints, police visibility patrols, EOD-K9 operations, joint AFP-PNP security operations, and transport terminal, seaports and airport security operations.
"There are existing threats in Mindanao and we are a possible target. It's just that there are area targets that are 'soft', meaning they offer a little defense or countermeasure against attack," Serenas said.
The army's fourth Infantry Division (4ID) said it has always been on alert since the declaration of Martial law in 2017.
In a statement, the 4ID said it has joint internal security operations with PRO in Northern Mindanao and Caraga which aims to intensify both efforts against terrorist groups in its jurisdiction.
"4ID extends our condolences to the bereaved families of the victims of the bombing in Isulan. We urged the public to help your security forces by giving information to the nearest AFP or PNP station on any unusual presence of people or activity in your area," the 4ID said.
The military also urged the public not spread unverified information so as not to cause panic to people and communities.
"Further, we would like to remind everyone that security is a shared responsibility. Be an active partner for the maintenance of peace in your community," the 4ID added.
