Director General Ronald M. dela Rosa, chief of the Philippine National Police, yesterday ordered intensified security on popular tourist spots across the country amid threats of attack following the Davao City blast.
Aside from possible bomb attacks, Dela Rosa said he is also particularly concerned on cases of kidnapping, especially those that would be carried out by the Abu Sayyaf Group in Palawan.
“For instance, Palawan and the rest of the Region 4B (Mindoro Occidental and Oriental, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan) has so many tourist spots, yet, there is also a history of kidnapping in Palawan,” said Dela Rosa in his visit to the Mimaropa police during the Police Service Anniversary.
“So this is what I am trying to emphasize. If it is mere bombing outside highly-urbanized areas, it would have very little impact but if it involves foreigners then it would be a different story,” he added.
Parts of the security measures are intensified police visibility and intelligence-gathering not only on the tourist spots themselves but also on the entry and exit points.
Chief Supt. Wilben Mayor, director of the Mimaropa police, said they have already slated several security measures especially after the Davao City blast. (Aaron B. Recuenco)