By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in Negros Occidental has been placed on “red alert” status following last Monday’s deadly twin bombings in Jolo, Sulu which killed at least 15 people and wounded over 75 others.

PCG-Negros Occidental chief, Lt. Commander Jansen Benjamin, said the heightened alert was being enforced since Tuesday in compliance with the directives issued by their national headquarters and Transport secretary Arthur Tugade.

Benjamin said they have intensified security border check in all major ports in the province. These include the Bredco port, as well as the harbors in the northern cities of San Carlos, Escalante, and Sagay.

The PCG-Negros Occidental already deployed its K9 units in ports to check all vehicles and cargo being loaded into ships.

They have also deployed their new Zodiac fast boats at the Bredco port which is being used for security and interdiction purposes.

Meanwhile, following the heightened alert status, Benjamin said they have intercepted a shipment of dried marijuana at the Port of San Carlos City on Tuesday night.

According to Benjamin, the illegal drugs were hidden inside a box filled with dried fish and it was discovered when a security guard and port police conducted a routine inspection of baggage arriving at the port.

Based on a separate report issued by the San Carlos City Police Station, the said illegal drugs, valued at P90,000, were shipped by a certain Jimboy Laña in Toledo City, Cebu.

Police are currently investigating as to who is the consignee of the package./DGB, WDJ