Security forces in Zamboanga on high alert

ZAMBOANGA CITY - Security forces in this city, which is hosting the forward station of the US Joint Special Operation Task Force-Philippines (JSOTF-P), were placed on high alert following the arrival of US President Barrack Obama in the country on Monday for a two-day official visit, officials said Monday.

Chief Superintendent Juanito Vaño, Police Regional Office 9 (PRO) director, said he placed police forces in the city and the other parts of the region on orders from the Philippine National Police National Headquarters.

Vaño said the tight security measures were implemented to prevent armed groups from staging attacks to sabotage and grab attention during Obama's visit.

Obama arrived in the country on Monday afternoon and was scheduled to return to the US on Tuesday afternoon.

Senior Superintendent Angelito Casimiro, city police director, said that they have not yet intercerted reports of threats.

Military units in the region have also been placed on high alert, and troops have been closely monitoring areas infested by members of the Abu Sayyaf Group, including Basilan and Sulu.

Lt. Gen. Rustico Guerrero, commander of Armed Forces' Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), said operations against the bandit group, which is holding a number of kidnap victims, were intensified with the visit of the US president.

City Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar, meanwhile, said that the city should also receive benefits as a result of the agreements forged between the two countries of the Philippines and the United States.

“Our message to President Barrack Obama is that Zamboanga City has been a home to the Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines ever since it started in 2002. In the global threat of terrorism, the police and the military and the JSOTF-P played very vital role and we will have to continuously have a lot of gains in catching terroristic activities that are brought in this area or that are started in our area,” Salazar said.