Intensified Security Measure

SECURITY PLAN --- Cotabato City Mayor Atty. Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi gathers top ranking military and police officers during a recent conference to further assess the security situation in the city and its neighbouring areas after the latest pronouncement of President Rodrigo Roa R. Duterte regarding the high level of threat to security for "Cotabato" with no specific place mentioned here in central Mindanao. (CM ATTY. CYN IN ACTION COTABATO CITY - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

COTABATO CITY --- This city government is bound to keep its communities safe amidst the growing threat of terrorism and violence after City Mayor Atty. Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi signed the Executive Order no. 222 or the Establishment of Common Boat Docking Areas along Tamontaka River, Rio Grande de Mindanao, and Matampay River.

Under the executive order, it will regulate the entry of boats and other small water vessels to the city and prevent the possible smuggling of contrabands and other illegal items. Because a group of lawless elements are also known to travel by water, only a few number of areas are identified to be the docking areas of boats entering the city.

“These are Sitio Biniruan, Poblacion 9, Sitio Bucana, Kalanganan Mother, Purok 4, Tamontaka 3, Barangay Kalanganan 2 (300 meters before Grand Mosque), and Timako Hill,” Mayor Guiani-Sayadi said.

Accordingly, the order states that all boats owned by residents of the city must register to the Public Safety Office located at the ground floor of the city hall while non-resident boat owners must log in and record their entry with the 5th Special Forces who has jurisdiction over the security of the said areas.

Further, the barangays where the designated docking areas are located will be responsible for collecting necessary minimal fees from the boat operators as and providing facilities for the boats and their passengers.

Mayor Guiani-Sayadi said authorities are implementing all forms of counter measures in order to ensure the safety and security of all Cotabateños.

"We have the full backing of the police and the military in keeping the peaceful and orderly situation in Cotabato City and I would like to assure my fellow Cotabateños that everything is under control so there is nothing to worry about", the city mayor said.

Previously, Mayor Guiani- Sayadi called an urgent conference with top ranking military and police officers to further assess the security situation in the city and its neighbouring areas after the pronouncement of President Rodrigo R. Duterte regarding the high level of threat to security for "Cotabato" with no specific place mentioned here in central Mindanao.

Present during the urgent conference were 603rd Brigade Commander Col. Jesus Sarsagat who is also the head of the Task Force Kutawato, Police Regional Office-12 Deputy Regional Director for Operation CSupt. Jose Arnaldo Briones, Cotabato City Police Director SSupt. Victor Valencia, 5th Special Forces Battalion Commander Lt. Col. James Uri, North Cotabato Police Provincial Director SSupt. Jonathan Tangonan, other unit commanders, and some city and barangay officials.

“We enjoin our fellow Cotabateños to be very vigilant and to report to the authorities any unusual occurence in their barangay. Amidst all speculations, please be informed that our authorities are still on top of the situation and we assure the public that we are doing everything to ensure the safety of everyone in the city,” Mayor Guiani-Sayadi said.

Mayor Guiani-Sayadi together with the military and police commanders urged the public for their cooperation and called upon them to report any activities of strangers in their respective communities.

Meanwhile, the order will take effect immediately and all boat owners and operators are expected to follow the laws that Cotabato City is implementing. (GILMHAR A. LAO - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)