Army calls on Ilonggos: Report hostile acts, beware of suspicious, new faces
The entire military and police forces of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in Western Visayas are on high alert following Tuesday's bombing in Metro Manila.
As such, a call has been made anew by the AFP here – Ilonggos beware! Ilonggos unite against terroristic and hostile acts.
"In Region 6, the AFP are doing its work to secure the Ilonggos from any terrorism and hostile action of the terrorists in urban centers," said Captain Lowen Gil Marquez, commanding officer of the AFP's 3rd Civil Relations Unit. "We are closely coordinating with other law enforcement agencies, all for the benefit of public security of the masses. We also ask the participation of the people especially in public places to report to authorities movements of any suspicious individuals and report things left unattended. Help us to secure our community. Report also new faces in the barangays to your respective barangay officials."
Marquez further appealed for the public's cooperation in the strengthened security measures employed both by government forces and by private security groups particularly in the malls.
The News Today (TNT) learned that immediately after a huge explosion ripped through the south wing of Batasang Pambansa, home of the country's lawmakers, a nationwide AFP alert was issued. Security was automatically tightened in vital government installations as intelligence groups gathered overnight.
No direct threats has been made in Iloilo or elsewhere in Western Visayas yet Captain Marquez added that as standard precautionary measure, the AFP hierarchy here are "fully ready."
The Batasang Pambansa bombing killed a Congressman from Mindanao, a driver of another lady solon and a congressional staff. Some nine others were injured including a Negros Oriental solon who was reportedly still in guarded condition amidst concerns of infection due to massive burn injuries sustained in the massive blast.