Eastern Visayas cops ready to send team to Mindanao

TACLOBAN CITY, May 25 -- The Philippine National Police (PNP) regional office here is ready to send personnel to Mindanao to support the implementation of martial law.

In a statement, Chief Supt. Robert Badian, officer-in-charge of the PNP regional office expressed their full support to the declaration of President Rodrigo Duterte to fight terrorism in southern Philippines.

“With the declaration of martial law, it will be easier for public safety forces to neutralize terrorists and their supporters. There is no more need to apply for search warrant or warrant of arrest against person who are reported to be supporting or harboring terrorists,” Badian explained in a statement. 

PNP regional police spokesperson Chief Insp. Ma. Bella D. Rentuaya said the police in Eastern Visayas was on full alert status given the proximity of Leyte Island to Mindanao.

“There will also be intensified conduct of checkpoints, patrols, close coordination with law enforcement agencies and the military,” Rentuaya said. 

President Duterte declared martial law in the entire Mindanao Island amid the ongoing clashes between government troops and Maute group terrorists in Marawi City.

The president made the declaration while in a state visit to Russia. PNP Eastern Visayas Regional Director Elmer Beltejar is one of the generals who joined President Duterte in his state visit. 

The Chief Executive on Wednesday bared his plan to expand the coverage of martial law to Visayas if terror groups spread their activities outside Mindanao.

In the southernmost part of Leyte Island, roll-on roll-off ships have been transporting passengers and vehicles to and from Benit port in San Ricardo town and Lipata port in Surigao City, crossing Surigao Strait. The distance between the two ports is only 23 kilometers.

Government forces are still on top of the situation and Marawi City is still under government control,assured Badian. 

The police office also called on the people to be vigilant and to report to the nearest police station any suspicious person who might create diversionary tactics and employ violence. (Vicky C. Arnaiz & Lizbeth Ann A. Abella/PNA)