Uniformed personnel asked to be on alert in Cebu against terrorism  

CEBU, Philippines —  Security enforcement agencies in Cebu City were urged to heighten its monitoring against terrorism and other lawless elements following the conflict that erupted in Israel.

In a resolution, Councilor Rey Gealon has urged the local Philippine National Police - Cebu City Mobile Force Company, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Central Command, Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), and the Coast Guard District of Central Visayas to intensify its monitoring against terrorism, among others.

According to Gealon, it is just timely to enforce the depths of security measures to prevent the same conflict from arising here in the city.

“All of us would just have to be careful with lawless elements who may be lurking in our communities and be vigilant enough to report to the authorities any suspicious activity they may encounter. Those in the uniformed service already know what is best to be done under the circumstances,” said Gealon, in a written statement released to the members of Cebu media.

In his resolution, Gealon emphasized the specific guidelines that each security enforcement agency must carry out.

For the PNP, Gealon has urged the cops, through the Cebu City Mobile Force, to conduct regular patrols along the boundaries of the city by the mountainsides.

He also urged the Armed Forces of the Philippines Central Command to be on heightened alert status against terrorists and other lawless elements.

He also urged the Cebu City Police Office to deploy more policemen on the streets and to actively and aggressively mobilize patrol units as a deterrent to those who may disturb the peace and order in the city.

Lastly, in the same resolution, Gealon also asked the Coast Guard District Central Visayas to regularly patrol the Cebu Harbor for any suspicious sea-faring vessels.

“In the words of St. Jerome: The scars of others should teach us caution. What better way to take caution than for our authorities to undertake extraordinary security efforts and measures, aligned with their respective mandates, in the light of recent events and developments around the world,” said Gealon.

Last October 7, Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups launched “Operation al-Agsa Flood,” a coordinated assault consisting of land and air attacks into multiple border areas of Israel.

An extensive air assault rocket was reportedly launched into the coastal towns of Ashdod and Ashkelon and as far north as Tel Aviv.

It was estimated that between 3,000 to 5,000 rockets were launched during that first day that recorded over 1,500 deaths.

The resolution is now subject for approval for the next Cebu City Council session. (CEBU NEWS)