Security remains tight in Zambo City

ZAMBOANGA CITY — Amid the spate of bombings in Sultan Kudarat and North Cotabato, security here was beefed up yesterday as Zamboangueños turned out in the streets for the celebration of the feast of La Virgen del Pilar, this southern port city’s patroness.

Security will remain tight during the month-long Zamboanga Hermosa Festival with the explosions that jolted the city in October 2002, days before the bombing in Bali, Indonesia, still fresh in the minds of local folk.

Twelve people, including a member of the US Special Forces, were killed while a hundred others were wounded in the blasts that rocked the vicinity of Camp Enrile in Malagutay, the shrine of Fort Pilar and shopping malls.

The attacks, which occurred in a span of eight days, were blamed on the extremist Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), an Indonesian-based terror group.

Senior Superintendent Francisco Cristobal, city police chief, said about 2,000 policemen were deployed near the shrine at Fort Pilar and in the commercial district, backed up by elements of the regional police command.

Cristobal said police trainees were also deployed to help secure the city, where the Abu Sayyaf and JI are feared to launch attacks to divert the attention of the military from its offensive in Sulu.

"So far, we have not received any threat, but we are not discounting any possibility, that is why we have mounted tough security," he said.

Mayor Celso Lobregat said the threats have not dampened the city in staging the Hermosa Festival dubbed as "Alegria! Alegria! Adelante Zamboanga Asia’s Latin City."

Lobregat attributed the influx of domestic and foreign visitors to the city to the residents’ resiliency toward terrorist threats.

"Not even the bad weather dampened the festive atmosphere in the city," he said.

Lobregat said the city government remains highly concerned about peace and order and called on the people to continue to be vigilant.

"Terrorism is a global concern, hitting even the most secure place. The city has remained tough and vigilant in the global (fight against) terrorism," he added.