Vice Mayor Duterte bares ISIS threat in Davao City

Davao City has received threats from ISIS, the international terrorist organization responsible for various deadly attacks in different countries that left hundreds of people dead, Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte confirmed Thursday.

In a press briefing in Davao City, Duterte as saying that he has already communicated with the police and military to look into the veracity of the information.

"We are intensifying the gathering of information. We cannot disclose details or confirm anything as of yet," he said.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said it has yet to verify the supposed threat.

"I haven't received any similar report but as always terrorist threats are part of our intelligence units monitoring efforts," said AFP chief Lt. Gen. Ricardo Visaya.

This was echoed by AFP spokesman Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla. "We have no information on this yet," he said in a text message to GMA News Online. 

For his part, Lt. Gen. Leonardo Guerrero said they have yet to receive information indicating that Davao City is under any threat from the ISIS.

"As far as we are concerned, wala kaming nare-recieve na information about yung direct threat coming from ISIS dito sa city. Aalthough alam naman natin na itong Davao City continues to be on the list of yung cities under threat ng terrorism," Guerrrero said.  

Asked if the vice mayor may have other source from where he got the information, Guerrero said: "Oo pero nandun naman yung general assessment natin na talagang being a progressive city, saka being the place of residence ng ating presidente ... expect natin talaga yung level of threat tataas."

Duterte, son of President Rodrigo Duterte and the city's acting mayor while Mayor Sara Duterte, his sister, is on leave, has ordered tightened security in the whole city. He also urged residents to be vigilant.

Specifically, the vice mayor directed policemen to secure key entry and exit points to the city and coordinate with police units from nearby provinces.

"Whether the information is real or not, whether there is an actual threat from ISIS or none, what is important is that the people are now informed," Duterte said. "And because of that, all of us are vigilant now."

"The public and all concerned agencies have been alerted and are doing everything to avert the threat from ISIS. Kailangan nating magbantay. I repeat, we are still verifying this information," Duterte added.

Last month, the Davao City Police released a terrorist watchlist ahead of the thanksgiving party of then President-elect Duterte on June 4, after they received reports that members of the ISIS-linked Islamiyah Movement are currently in Mindanao.

Davao City Police spokesperson Chief Inspector Milgrace Driz said Islamiyah Movement had been involved in bombings in Cotabato and Cagayan de Oro City and kidnappings in the Island Garden City of Samal.