DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 6 December)—Security situation in Eastern Mindanao has been upgraded from “full alert” to “high alert status” to provide the public with maximum security after the bombing last December 3 tore through the Dimaporo Gymnasium at Mindanao State University in Marawi City, killing four people and injured 46 others.
Colonel Ariel B. Acala, chief of the operation division of Area Police Command-Eastern Mindanao, said during the “Wednesdays Media Forum at the Habi at Kape” that all border control points and checkpoints within their area of responsibility—comprising the Davao Region, Caraga, and Central Mindanao—have been strengthened to ensure the safety and security of the public.
He said that with an upgraded alert status, more police personnel will be deployed, more checkpoints will be conducted, and stricter security measures will be enforced at the borders.
Acala said the public can also expect more police visibility in “areas where people converge” as he assured that areas within Eastern Mindanao are safe.
Despite the bombing incident, foreign business chambers remain confident in investing in Mindanao.
Ed Bullecer, member of the board of the American Chamber of Commerce in Philippines-Mindanao, said that they have not received cancellations of scheduled business trips to the island.
He claimed that prospective American investors remain firm about doing business here.
“In general, from [the viewpoints of our] businessmen and associates, this kind of violence has been part of our history…. It’s comforting to hear the assurance of the security sector. We, as businessmen and even our associates from abroad, have not heard of any cancellations of scheduled visits to pursue business trips,” he said.
Takeyoshi Sumikawa, vice president of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce, said that they feel safer in Davao City than anywhere else in the country.
In a statement released on Monday, the Joint Foreign Chambers of Commerce in Mindanao condemned the act of violence in the strongest terms possible.
“We seek the national and local government’s law enforcement agencies to bring to justice the perpetrators of this heinous act. We remain supportive of our government’s efforts on working to bring a lasting peace in Mindanao,” the statement reads.
It added that foreign chambers stand together “with the government and communities that reject all forms violence.” (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)
