Army: No terror threat in Visayas

ORMOC CITY, Leyte, June 24-- The army commander of the 802nd Brigade based in the city stressed that despite presence of armed men in the Visayas, there was no director threat of terror attacks.

The whole of Visayas is still at Level 1 for terror alert which means it is not facing threat for any terror attack, said Brig. Gen. Francisco F. Mendoza, Jr. in a telephone interview on Friday.

“There are armed men, yes. NPAs (New People’s Army) are armed. But no threat for terrorism,” he pointed out.

Following the declaration of martial Law in Mindanao a month ago, various reports reached their office concerning presence of armed men in different areas pictured as similar to “terror attackers” in Marawi. Mendoza refuted these, saying all were hearsay.

“All information reaching our office that may pose imminent danger to peace and security are right away verified. So far, these are just hearsay”, Mendoza said.

“As we receive the information, we verify it. But up to now, no first-hand informant has ever drawn details. All of them could not give light to the information spreading around and cannot pinpoint who really met what they referred to as ‘armed’ men.” he added.

On the recent information spreading in social media saying armed men were sighted in Albuera, "it is now being verified," Mendoza said.

Aside from watching over insurgency issues, the army is currently working closely with the police, particularly for the nightly events at the city to celebrate its fiesta on June 29th.

City police director Senior Supt. Ramil L. Ramirez, in an talk with the media also on Friday, said he was personally supervising his men to conduct close watch at the city plaza where huge crowd would be joining the evening merriment.

Police cars are constantly roaming around even at the outskirts to check any suspicious personalities around and to respond immediately to emergency calls.

Ramirez assured the public for maximum security provided especially during the Bb. Ormoc coronation night.

“Remember, you are not viewers, you are here to keep watch for everyone’s safety”, he reminded to the more or less 30 police force to be assigned at the venue.(Elvie Roman Roa/PNA)