CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (MindaNews/27 September) — Admitting there have been some weak spots in local intelligence coordination as shown in the recent abduction of prominent trader Manuel Boniao, the city mayor has agreed to the holding of a “security summit”.
Senior Supt. Noel Armilla, police regional intelligence division chief earlier said Boniao’s kidnap should serve as a wake-up call for the local government to hold the summit.
In an interview Monday, Mayor Vicente Emano admitted there was laxity on local intelligence coordination and in checkpoints.[]
“I would agree [to call] for a security summit and we need to have stricter checkpoints in our city’s entry and exit points,” said Emano.
Armilla, in an earlier interview, suggested that local government should invite well-to-do families in the city, police and military officers to sit down and discuss and plan on how to improve security coordination in the city.
A criminologist by profession, city councilor Roger Abaday agreed with Armilla saying the city “should have a proactive plan and not just reactive plans” in addressing security and safety issues.[]
