Spillover of Mindanao atrocities possible in Southern Luzon — police official

A ranking police official has admitted that atrocities in the Mindanao region could have a spillover in other parts of the Philippines including the Southern Luzon.

Police Major General Ericson Velasquez, Directorate for Integrated Police Operation in Southern Luzon, told reporters on Monday that authorities should not downplay the possibility of spillover of hostilities in some areas.

“As far as terrorism is concerned on the part of the PNP, we cannot discount the possibility that it may spillover here, especially in Southern Luzon. We know for a fact na 'yung aim ng terrorism is to sow fear so the best thing that we do now is the preventive aspect,” Velasquez said.

Velasquez said one way to prevent this from happening is to educate and encourage the public to be more vigilant on what is happening on their respective communities.

“Ine-encourage namin 'yung barangay to know their community, kung may mga bagong mukha ba diyan, sino ba 'yang mga 'yan, ano ba intensyon niyan,” Velasquez said.

Last week, it was Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana who mentioned that there could be a spillover in Metro Manila following recent bombing incidents in Mindanao as well as the confirmed presence of foreign terrorists in the region.

"There is some of that kind na baka mag-spillover dito and it is possible because if he is a Filipino and operating alone, 'yung tinatawag nating lone wolf, magdala lang siya rito or he can come here and produce bomb," Lorenzana had said.

Philippine National Police spokesman Brigadier General Bernard Banac, meanwhile, ensured that the peace and order situation across the metro is still under control.

No terror threat has been monitored by authorities, according to Banac.

The military earlier disclosed that seven foreign terrorists are embedded in local terror groups in Western Mindanao.

Over 40 others are being verified and monitored by security forces. — Anna Felicia Bajo/RSJ, GMA News