Butuan police bares readiness vs terrorism threats

By Johny S. Natad

BUTUAN CITY, September 2 (PIA) - A top official of Butuan City Police Office (BCPO) said its police forces have been implementing strategies to keep the city from any terrorism threats.

BCPO Director PSSupt Nerio Bermudo during the City Peace and Order Council meeting said the BCPO has already been preparing and implementing plans and actions and tightening the defense system especially the intelligence, target hardening and incident management.

"No terrorist activity or incident had been reported in BCPO since 2001. However, we have to contend with the possibility that terrorist coming from outside the region may find suitable targets within Caraga. This office has activated 'Oplan Kalinaw Butuan' focusing on anti-terrorism plan/measures to prevent any terroristic plan in our area of responsibility," Bermudo said.

Currently, the BCPO has installed a total of 20 units of CCTV surveillance system within the city’s strategic places.

As part of the target hardening operation, the BCPO has been conducting security plan drills/walk through security survey inspection of establishments and institutions that are probable target of terrorism.

To ensure coordination and cooperation of barangays and communities in peace and order, the BCPO trained the Barangay Information Networks (BINs) and Barangay Peacekeeping Action Teams (BPATs). They also coordinated with the Imam/ Muslim communities and other groups for the possible identification of terrorist.

Bermudo held that the BCPO personnel has been stringently conducting the panelling and inspection of baggage to identified economic key points, vital installation and places of convergence like mall, airport, public markets and terminal by Explosive and Ordnance Disposal Team and K-9 units.

"We have increased our police presence by conducting recoreda or patrolling, posting of IEC and advocacy materials, establishing 14 police boxes, establishing strong police check points at strategic areas in coordination with Agusan del Norte provincial police office, deployment of office personnel, and augmentation of 13th Regional Public Safety Battalion and Scene of the Crime Operatives," Bermudo added. (JSN/PIA-Caraga)