The Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) is encouraging the public to be vigilant and to report any unusual activity in their community.
“There should be teamwork between the police and the community,” said ICPO spokesperson, Police Senior Inspector Shella Mae Sangrines. “In the case of monitoring the activity of terrorists, people in the community can really help through the information they provide.”
Following the recent terror attack in Marawi City by Islamic State-backed Maute Group, the ICPO has been on full alert status, according to Sangrines.
“We have intensified the monitoring at our ports, bus terminals, and coastal areas because we don’t want terrorists to enter the city,” the spokesperson noted.
Meanwhile, the ICPO welcomed the move by the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) to conduct a briefing on the current situation in the city and to discuss what law enforcement has planned in avoiding possible terrorist attacks.
“We will test the readiness and capabilities of our emergency responders and police in responding to incidents like bombing so we would know what to do,” Sangrines said.
The ICPO plans to run a simulation exercise this morning at the City Mall at the Parola Wharf./WDJ