GUARDING VS MARAWI SPILLOVER

THE Philippine National Police (PNP) in Pangasinan has been placed on full alert following the declaration of martial law in Mindanao.

P/Chief Inspector Norman Florentino, chief of the Police-Community Relations at the Pangasinan Police Provincial Office (PPPO), said the full alert status was ordered by P/Sr. Superintendent Ronald Lee since May 23 immediately after President Rodrigo Duterte declared martial law in Mindanao as a result of the attack by terrorists identified with the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) of Marawi City.

Florentino told the KBP Forum on Thursday that all members of the PNP in Pangasinan, including those who are currently on leave, have been ordered to report to their respective stations or units immediately.

He said the recall was intended to intensify and conduct more checkpoints in the province.

Florentino said the measures have been adopted to ensure that there is no possibility of a spillover of the Marawi incident to Pangasinan.

In addition, ‘Oplan Sita’ and police visibility in public places are being increased and the conduct of preventive patrols especially along the boundaries of Pangasinan with La Union, Benguet, Nueva Vizcaya, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac and Zambales are being intensified.

He clarified that since Pangasinan and Region 1 or any part of Luzon are not under martial law, the plain view doctrine will be applied in all checkpoints and the policemen manning checkpoints have been ordered to be courteous.

He advised motorists to simply submit their vehicles for the plain view inspections, and in some instances may be asked to show their driver’s licenses.

“The plain view doctrine guarantees that human rights of the citizens are respected at all times,” Florentino said.

Meanwhile, he said sharing of intelligence reports between the PNP and the Armed Forces of the Philippines in Pangasinan continues and both are validating all information shared.

He added that Pangasinan remains peaceful and orderly and most of the Moro population in the province are peace-loving people and they have no reason to suspect that a group is sympathizing with the terrorists fighting government forces in Marawi City.

“Some (referring to the local Moros) may be into the illegal drug trade, but no one is suspected to be sympathizing with the terrorists,” Florentino told newsmen.

He added that no movement by the communist New People’s Army has been noted in either eastern and western parts of Pangasinan. (Leonardo Micua/Nora Dominguez)

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