Be more security conscious, says mayor
BACOLOD CITY -- Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia appealed to everyone to be more security conscious amidst the spate of bombings in the southern Philippines.
Leonardia said that although it is the standard operating procedure on the part of the police to maintain peace and order but there should be participation and cooperation of the public to prevent terroristic acts similar to Cotabato from happening here.
“If you notice activities or persons who are suspicious, report it to the nearest police station,” Leonardia stressed.
Bacolod City Police Office Director Supt. Leo Irwin Agpangan, on the other hand, appealed for public vigilance.
Agpangan has ordered the 425 policemen of BCPO not to let their guard down and secure all vital installations in the city.
“Aside from vital installations, he has received information that media entities and churches are among the targets of the Muslim rebels,” he said.
There was a meeting with Muslim groups in Bacolod last week and they assured Agpangan of their cooperation in giving information on the possible entry of Muslim rebels in the city.
“I also urged the media to help me in disseminating information to preempt any planned atrocities”, Agpangan added.
Last week, Agpangan confirmed that suspected New People’s Army hit squads had been sighted in Bacolod and some personalities are allegedly in their “hit list”.