As the season’s celebrations reach its peak this week, Mayor Beng Climaco has raised the city’s level of alertness against terrorism coupled with the relentless efforts to contain the Covid-19 pandemic.
This developed as the combined police, military and intelligence forces on recently thwarted what could have been a devastating bomb explosion following the confiscation of a 90mm mortar ready for detonation, and the arrest of the suspected bomber in Barangay Kasanyangan.
Climaco appealed for a much stronger presence of police and military forces in the city even as she urged the people to also do their share of civic duty, stressing that government cannot do it alone without the people’s support and cooperation.
“Let us be vigilant and continue the high level of alert to prevent any terror activities while maintaining our efforts to fight Covid-19 by complying with minimum public health standards,” the mayor said.
Specifically, she urged the people to avoid overcrowding or refrain from going to crowded places as this provides opportunity for terror attacks, at the same time it could also be a super spreader event for the virus.
“Likewise, don’t bring backpacks and other unnecessary items. While we cannot stop people from going out as this is Christmas season, but what we can do is a lot of proactive and preemptive measures so that every family is given the opportunity to celebrate Christmas and New Year peacefully and safely,” she added. “If necessary, stay home and be safe.”
She also appealed to the Philippine Navy to give the MBLT-11 a wider space at Mindeva Property in Rio Hondo for a combat ready unit to prevent intrusion of civilians like what happened last week when children gained entry into the property and toyed with an unexploded mortar.
Recall, a boy was killed on the spot when the live mortar he and 2 others found at the property, exploded.
Climaco said the incident was a breach of security at the Navy compound. Thus, she asked the Navy to spare a space for the MBLT-11 for its combat ready unit.
(Source: City Government of Zamboanga Facebook page)