Pangasinan PNP on high alert

By August 14, 2019Headlines, News

OVER LEAKED TERROR THREAT

THE Pangasinan Police is on high alert over the alleged leaked intelligence report supposedly from the military on an alleged imminent attack from terrorists targeting churches in Northern Luzon, including the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Manaoag.

P/Lt. Colonel Norman Florentino, chief of the Police Community Affairs Office of the Pangasinan Police Office, said although the police are still validating the alleged intelligence report, they have already acted and are now taking immediate steps to secure the province.

He said the Provincial Director P/Colonel Redrico Maranan and Police Regional Director, P/Brigadier General Joel Orduña, inspected possible soft targets like power plants, churches and markets in towns and hosted a Muslim Summit on August 8 at the Dagupan Police Station where the Muslim Community was asked to provide information about presence and locations of stranger, suspicious-looking persons.

In a PUNCH exclusive interview, Maranan said police units were also inspected to check their readiness to enhance the security plan in place.

The police already formed a task group for anti-terrorism and anti-drugs among the current Muslim officers and non-commissioned officers of the PNP who drew out different scenarios and action plans to prevent the threat from happening.

P/Lt. Colonel Abubakar Mangelen Jr., chief of police of Dagupan City, led in the formation of the task group, that identified the possible entry points of terrorists and possible cover to avoid detection and places in Pangasinan where they would consider as hiding places.

Mangelen said the security plans put in place were already coordinated with the 702nd Brigade at Camp Tito Abat in Manaoag amid the terrorist threat.            

In Manaoag, soldiers with a K-9 unit were posted around the premises of the Minor Basilica.

In a PUNCH interview with Major Ericson Bolosan, NOLCOM public information officer, he said the information that leaked to the public regarding the possible terror attack that spread on social media continues to be validated and to trace the source.

It was the memo from the AFP for the North Central Command that was circulated publicly and it’s still not known how it became public.

Florentino said all chiefs of police were issued mobile phone numbers and hotlines painted in patrol cars which the public can call in case of emergencies.

The police can also be reached through their respective Facebook page online.

The Salaam Volunteer Police in Muslim communities, which like the Barangay Peace-Keeping Action Force (BPAT), was tasked to monitor closely their respective communities and the Pangasinan Muslim Association have been reactivated. (Leonardo Micua/Nora Dominguez)

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments