MikeLigalig.com

by the Bohol Standard

THERE is no need to be alarmed, assures Governor Edgar Chatto as he stressed Bohol has prepared to repel the threat of Abu Sayyaf bandits, reportedly planning to abduct foreign tourists here for ransom.

"We have adopted a policy of being prepared all the time, and even then we have approached everything with a high degree of preparedness," Chatto said after a briefing by military and police security operations at a forum held at the Bohol Tropics Friday.

In his threat briefing, 2nd Special Forces Batallion Commander, Col. Romeo Brawner said he, along with other Bohol key officials received circulated text messages Monday last week about an intelligence report from a Zamboanga agent.

The message bared that a band of Abu Sayyaf bandits took on a double-engined speedboat Monday morning heading for Bohol to kidnap and abduct two foreign nationals.

The reports also said that the group led by a certain Dr. Abu, has already a spotter group in into Bohol a week ahead.

Sharing the preparations in place to safeguard tourists and Bohol tourism industries, Col Brawner said command conferences were immediately called by the army and other security agencies to prepare for the crisis management.

The former army spokesperson said the country’s internal security keepers already exhausted five scenarios, which would most likely be attack entries of bandits.

The tackling of scenarios always help tactical operation planners explore possibilities and plan strategic actions to repel and deny any possible attack, a military strategic planner shared.

Security operations were prepared for possibilities of onshore abduction, fast-craft interception, sea-craft high-jacking, intercepting dolphinwatching tourists and bandits using diversionary tactics including bombs.

“We are not alarmists, we do not want to cause alarm, but we planned actions that could be taken to safeguard our peace,” Brawner said.

On this, the military said they have coordinated with other local security keepers to get assets in the area and beef up local security, especially in Panglao, Balicasag and Pamilacan Islands.

“We are still in the process of collecting information, intensifying security operations at entry points, beefing up shore patrols and preparing for crisis management,” Brawner added.

On this, Brawner showed on powerpoint a synchronization matrix to assign areas of security responsibility among the police, Philippine Coast Guard Philippine Navy, Army, Philippine Air Force, Maritime Police and the special forces.

But while the intelligence reports have been negative as yet, Brawner urged people to report any suspicious looking persons and boats, to the quick reaction hotlines.

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