MIMAROPA

Palawan bats for tighter security

Twin bombing incidents unifies Palawenos

By Victoria Asuncion S. Mendoza

Wednesday 11th of April 2012

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan, April 10 (PIA) -- Palawan Governor Abraham Kahlil Mitra convened the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) this afternoon following the bombing incidents in Puerto Princesa City and El Nido on April 5.

In his opening remarks as chairman of the Council, Mitra said that the recent incidents were urgent and of great concern for the province in the light of the robust growth of tourism and the need to put in place measures so that this would not happen again.

The meeting discussed and assessed the prevailing peace and order situation and the measures to be set in place to tighten security and ensure safety of tourists and the public in general.

Provincial Police Superintendent Reynaldo Jagmis, City Police Superintendent Abad Osit, and CIDG Provincial Chief Reynaldo Ramos briefed the council on the progress of the investigation of the twin bombing incidents by Task Group Hunter composed of PNP Provincial Office, City PNP, CIDG, and the Western Command.

The PNP-PPO and city PNP reported that their commands have already taken pro-active, aggressive, and target-hardening activities such as setting up of checkpoints in strategic areas; intensified mobile and tourist police visibility; increase in canine patrolling; and, strengthening of the intelligence network.

In the immediate future, CCTV cameras will be installed at public convergence areas, intensified information drive on bomb awareness program for the general public and a forum or conference with stakeholders of the tourism industry.

In connection with the ongoing investigation of the twin bombing incidents, Task Group Hunter has already filed a case against principal suspect Hiya Intik Hassan and five other John Does for the crime of frustrated murder.

The Task Group is still continuing on its investigation to dig out more evidences and to uncover the identity of the other suspects. (TBO/VSM-PIA 4B, Palawan)