By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Following a recent report indicating Philippine Coast Guard-Bacolod (PCG-Bacolod) commander, Lieutenant Jimmy Oliver Vingno, received intelligence claiming seven car bombs are being transported from Mindanao to Metro Manila, Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon, Jr. urged vigilance.
The governor encouraged residents to immediately report any suspicious-looking individuals to authorities, especially if these are armed and viewed as sympathetic to terrorist causes. He believes there are more Maute group members and sympathizers beyond those already neutralized by government forces.
He also called upon the PCG to enforce strict checks of vehicles disembarking at the ports of San Carlos City, Banago and Bredco in Bacolod City, Dumaguete City, Escalante City, Pulupandan, and Sagay City.
Vingno explained the suspected vehicles are traveling through the Visayas islands using roll-on/roll-off vessels.
The vehicles reportedly being used as car bombs are a black Toyota Hilux (license plate: TO 4823), a white Nissan Sentra (UER 452), a black Toyota Land Cruiser (VIM 889), a black Honda Civic (KDY 462), a grey Toyota Vios (ZBM 340), a black Isuzu DMax (PIJ 139), and a black Toyota Innova (ZDT 395)./WDJ