The City Police Station (CPS) 1 has began holding community anti-terrorism awareness (CATA) campaigns in Puerto Princesa in a bid to gain public support in reporting and condemning any terroristic act.
CATA was done in Baragay Bagong Sikat on Thursday as a program of the Philippine National Police (PNP), according to P/Lt. Ray Aron Elona, acting chief of police of CPS 1.
“Kung matatandaan natin na these past few months, may mga ambushes na nangyari dito sa MIMAROPA. Ito ay pinapalakas lang natin ang pagkondia ng ating mga mamamayan laban sa terorismo sa tulong ng mga pulis,” Elona said.
He said the activity is also aimed at encouraging barangay officials and residents to be the PNP’s active partner against terrorism activities, including recruitment, that might be perpetrated by unscrupulous individuals.
Elona also clarified that holding the CATA does not mean that the city is under any threat.
More than the police, he said, it is the officials of the barangay and the residents who know what is happening in their communities.
“Ito din ang inuuna natin na palakasin para maiwasan lang natin na makapag-recruit pa ang mga terorista at maging aware din ang mga kababayan sa mga terrorist group. Ang mga baranggay din ang nakakakilala sa mga residente at madaling matukoy kung ang mga tao ay taga-doon sa kanilang baranggay o hindi. Layunin din nito na sa level pa lang ng barangay, is alam na nila ang gagawin nila if ever maka encounter sila ng mga terorista,” he said.
“Wala tayong mga banta ngayon, ginagawa lang natin ito bilang paghahanda in advance. Main purpose is magkaroon ng knowledge ang community natin. Alam naman natin na sa ngayon ay hindi na na bo-brought out ang mga ganitong usapan sa normal na conversation,” he added.
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