Chief Supt. Fedil Cimatu Jr. said implementing full alert status and strengthening of defenses in all police stations and outposts must be properly observed at all times after the bombings in General Santos City, some areas in North Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat.
He said the group behind the bombings is the “Lawless MILF Group” or LMG, which he describes as “horrible and inhuman.”
“We strongly condemn these transgressions as terrible and despicable crimes against God and humanity,” Cimatu in a press statement.
He said the Police Regional Office 12 has now implemented a contingency plan to prevent further escalation of violence. He said the plan will oversee preparedness of the different operating units in dealing with various crises that will affect the survival of government institutions, ensure the protection of lives and critical infrastructures, economic key points, defense and security of the community.
Cimatu said the 4,000 police forces in the region are now on full alert status to thwart possible bombing attacks.
He called on the support of the religious sector — the bishops and ulama — to support the police in condemning terrorist attacks that have cost so many lives and damage to properties.
“The PNP cannot afford to take chances whenever there is a threat of a terrorist activity and counter-terrorism is a shared responsibility of the people and the government. The public must do their own part to ascertain their own safety,” Cimatu said.
Last week, Supt. Reynato Hizo, OIC of the North Cotabato police said the MILF was not involved in the twin grenade explosions in Midsayap, North Cotabato on New Year’s Eve.
Hizo said the grenade blasts that injured eight persons were “directed towards certain individuals due to some personal grudges and deep-seated clan conflict.”
The suspect had only one target in the attack but it hit five others who were present at the time the grenade went off,” said Insp. Andamen Dicay, deputy Midsayap police chief. (Williamor A. Magbanua / MindaNews)