Davao police on full alert after Sulu attack

DAVAO CITY -- The Police Regional Office (PRO)-11 has ordered the tightening of security checkpoints as it raised a full alert level in the region effective midnight on Sunday, following the June 28 attack in Sulu province.

PRO-11 Director Brig. Gen. Marcelo Morales on Monday said he has ordered to raise the alert level after "our comrades-in-arms suffered a senseless and cowardly attack by the terrorists in Indanan, Sulu, leaving 8 people dead and injuring 12 others including civilians".

Two suicide bombers attacked and detonated the bombs they carried at Army's 1st Brigade Combat Team Headquarters in Sitio Tanjung in Kajatian, Indanan on Friday.

"The men and women of PRO 11 strongly condemn this act of violence not just to our soldiers but also with the civilian people," Morales said.

"Our thoughts and prayers go to the families of the victims and survivors as we stand in solidarity with all the people of Sulu at this difficult time," he added.

Morales instructed all police commanders to establish and strengthen checkpoints in the cities and municipalities in Davao Region more strictly to preempt any diversionary attack by the terrorist groups.

He also ordered the deployment of the maximum number of foot and mobile patrols particularly in highly-populated areas; coordinate with private security providers and security managers to establish and enhance joint security protocols; and, to intensify intelligence monitoring and sharing of information with other intelligence units.

Morales said the perpetrators thought that they can defeat the government with the heinous attack. "Well, they were wrong," he said.

"We, the PNP and AFP will remain strong and resilient as solid government forces and we will not allow the rule of violence to triumph. We vow to hunt you down and will never bow to your stupid and senseless ideologies. Our country is not a playing ground for ragtag groups with their misguided philosophies," Morales said.

He assured that the PNP will leave no stone unturned to bring justice to the victims of the said incident.

"I urge the people to remain vigilant as I encourage everyone to continue their active participation with security forces in reporting any observations they have since we cannot afford to take chances whenever there is a threat of terrorist activity," he said.

Morales further called on the public not to be distracted and defeated by warmongers and violent elements.

"Let us pray for the people of Sulu that they will rise again against adversity strengthened by their strong identity and desire to live in freedom and liberty," he said. (PNA)

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