Governor asks village officials to help in surveillance as military, police assure Cebu is safe from terror threats

CEBU GOVERNOR Hilario P. Davide III called on barangay officials to help security forces in monitoring possible terror threats as the police and military gave him assurance that the province is safe following the travel advisory of the United Kingdom warning its citizens from traveling to parts of southern Cebu and Mindanao. “We have to be very watchful,” Mr. Davide is quoted in a statement after a meeting with security officials on Jan. 9. During the briefing, Chief Insp. Florendo L. Fajardo of the Provincial Police Operations Plans Branch said security measures are in place not only in southern Cebu but the entire province to ensure the safety of residents and tourists. Mr. Fajardo, however, asked the public to remain vigilant. “We are not discounting the possibilities of threats and with the number of tourist influx, especially during Sinulog (Festival) and upcoming summer season, we will always beef up our security measures and double our vigilance against lawless elements,” he said. The military’s Col. Noel T. Baluyan, meanwhile, said soldiers have also been deployed across the province.