WV on full alert as probe widens on Glorietta mall bombing
Beware of suspicious new faces! Or so the Ilonggo community is now told as the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) here eye areas dubbed as "rest and recreation" (R and R) of terrorists and criminal elements throughout Western Visayas.
This, as the entire AFP hierarchy of both the military and the police in Region 6 go on full alert amidst the destruction and security threat posed by the Glorietta bombing in Makati City.
In an interview, AFP Captain Lowen Gil Marquez, commanding officer of the 3rd Civil Relations Group told The News Today (TNT) that security has been intensified as well in all vital government installations.
Such as city shopping malls here employed extra measures over the weekend to avert similar breach of security that now caused the deadly Glorietta mall blast.
And there is a heightened and widened monitoring, too, Captain Marquez added, with tips sought on said suspicious new faces. The AFP in the monitoring effort has linked up with various intelligence groups and even with Muslim communities in Iloilo City.
The particular concern, Captain Marquez shared, came after information reached the AFP that potential "R& R" of the terrorists will be the Visayas. While no direct and solid leads were in AFP's hand at the moment, Captain Marquez said they are not taking any chances.
"So our appeal to the public is that please report any suspicious presence in your barangays to the nearest police stations or military detachments," he said. "What happened in Makati can also happen to any city since the target of these terrorists are urbanized cities. Let us not allow that and help the AFP in making it easier and possible for us to protect you and your families."
Captain Marquez further called on the locals to be on guard against potential harassments and destruction that will be made by communist-terrorists.
Chances are, he said, the communist-group will take advantage of the situation and cause similar tragic incident here.
"At all times especially now, they are not to be trusted too," Captain Marquez ended.