By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Police Regional Office-6 (PRO-6) recently released a statement assuring Western Visayas residents there is no Islamic State (IS) presence in the region. PRO-6 spokesman, Police Superintendent Gilbert Gorero, previously called on the public to refrain from spreading unverified information regarding the terror group, also affirming there is no IS threat.

The notice comes after rumors circulated earlier this month, claiming IS militants were planning to conduct attacks following their defeat in Marawi City last October.

In a statement posted on the official PRO-6 social media page, they said Western Visayas remains safe and peaceful despite atrocities committed by the New People’s Army (NPA) in both Panay and Negros Occidental.

However, they also stated police in the region remain on high alert and are encouraging the public to immediately report any suspicious individual or groups to police.

PRO-6 added the public should also remain vigilant and assist them in maintaining peace and safety in the region.

Earlier this month, the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) said they remained on heightened alert against the Maute terror group, a group affiliated with IS.

BCPO director, Police Senior Superintendent Francisco Ebreo, said they are not discounting the possibility the terror group may be reorganizing somewhere, which could bring forth another possible attack.

He also stated the profiling of individuals coming from Mindanao is being done, not just at ports in Bacolod City, but throughout the entire region.

Ebreo added BCPO is also regularly visiting and monitoring Marawi evacuees, who have permanently moved to Bacolod City following the conflict./DGB, WDJ