Southern Leyte cops still on guard vs terrorists spillover

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, July 26 (PNA) -- The police provincial office here is strengthening their coordination with residents in coastal villages to prevent the entry of criminal elements and terrorist groups. 

Aside from deploying personnel to ports, the Southern Leyte police office is also stepping up its information gathering in coordination with village officials, said police provincial director Sr. Supt. Warren F. De Leon. 

Considering the proximity of the province to Mindanao and presence of ports for Bohol and Cebu-bound ships, they have to be vigilant to ensure the spill over of terrorist groups. 

The ports of Liloan and San Ricardo towns are the gateway for travellers and motorists to and from Mindanao. 

“Generally, the situation in Southern Leyte is peaceful because we have intensified police operation, checkpoints and police visibility, particularly at entry points in the province from Mindanao,” de Leon said. 

De Leon confirmed of receiving intelligence report that some terrorists have been planning to enter Southern Leyte, prompting them to alert residents and fishermen in coastal communities and ask them to report presence of suspicious persons. 

The provincial police office aims to maintain the status as one of the province with low crime rate in the region at 12 percent, next to Northern Samar province with nine percent crime rate. 

Aside from securing the province against terrorists, the police has been intensifying its drive against illegal drugs in all 18 towns and one city in the province. 

Most illegal drug traders in the province had either surrendered or arrested in police operations, according to the official. 

Cebu has been tagged as the main source of illegal drugs in the province being shipped through the port of Bato, Leyte. Distribution is concentrated in more urban areas of Maasin City and Sogod town.(Roel T. Amazona/PNA)