“Terror plot” unconfirmed but... Authorities step up security in Negros Or

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines — Various law enforcement agencies in Negros Oriental on Thursday were alerted on an unverified plot allegedly by the Abu Sayyaf Group to carry out kidnapping activities in this capital city.

Colonel Allan Martin, commander of the 302nd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army based in Tanjay City, confirmed that he and other law enforcers had received similar text messages purportedly from the intelligence community regarding the “terror plot” and the “movement” of a certain ASG leader and his henchmen.

Martin however cautioned against circulating the text messages, emphasizing that these were still unverified, so as not to cause undue alarm especially among tourists visiting the province.

Still, whether it is true or not, Martin assured that they are prepared at all times to confront and address any security threat such as this. This could well be a test case for the newly formed Joint Task Force, headed by Governor Roel Degamo, for a well-coordinated response by all law enforcement agencies involved.

One of the text messages, supposedly from the intelligence community, disclosed that at around 10 p.m. last September 9, “the group of Muamar Askali, with about ten armed followers, was seen in the municipality of Omar in Sulu.”

The text message further read that the group was planning to conduct kidnapping activity in Dumaguete, and that they will travel about “800 osuk bato” (kilometer in the Tausug dialect) and will depart anytime from that specified town in Sulu.

Some lines in the same text message were in the Tausug dialect, which appeared to be discussing the distance to Dumaguete and the supposed armed men’s target.

Another text message mentioned the exact information but was differently worded and coming from another intelligence source.

Amid all this, Martin said all law enforcement agencies are now being alerted to step up security particularly in the southern portion of Negros Oriental where majority of the resorts can be found.

In the case of the Philippine Army, he said they have already identified areas where they will deploy personnel, in coordination with the Philippine National Police as “the Army could not saturate the whole coastline.”

Martin said: “We are not just guarding Dumaguete. We will be guarding the whole coastline in the southern tip of Negros Island, that will be up to Sipalay (Negros Occidental).” He said his command will also be coordinating with the Philippine Navy on what areas the deployment will be undertaken.

A source also told The Freeman that the Task Unity Maritime Security—composed of the Philippine Coast Guard, the Philippine Navy and the RMU—is now initiating action on the intelligence report and will be deploying a navy boat to Negros Oriental.

Resort owners were also summoned and/or informed of the supposed kidnapping plot and to be extra vigilant in securing their respective premises. One resort owner in Dauin, Negros Oriental has also reported that a black sedan was observed to have arrived at the area of his resort three times but nobody had alighted from the car.

Senior Superintendent Dionard Carlos, OIC provincial police director, said he has already alerted all the police chiefs in the province, while the Dumaguete Police chief, Superintendent Jovito Atanacio, said he has also alerted his men, especially those in the intelligence section.

The Dumaguete Coast Guard station, headed by Lieutenant Junior Grade Jude Greannata could not be contacted for comment as to whether the command would also be patrolling the shores of Negros Oriental.

All security forces in Negros Oriental are attending a two-day workshop Thursday and Friday as part of the creation of the Joint Task Force to define the roles of each agency in the different task groups on how to respond to or address various threat groups and/or situations, he added. (FREEMAN)