Cebu’s Muslim Community to Help Prevent Terror Attacks

More than 20,000 Muslim residents in Cebu City have assured that they will immediately report to the police any suspicious people or any suspicious activity by people in their respective areas.

The promise was made by National Commission on Filipino-Muslims Regional Director Malou Manonggiring and several Muslim leaders of the city on Monday when they met with Cebu City Police Office Director Noli Romana in City Hall.

The meeting was held in anticipation that some suspected terrorists who were responsible for the bombing in Cotabato City that killed several persons, might come to Cebu City to avoid the pursuing authorities.

However, Romana denied rumors that some of the terrorists have already arrived in Cebu City purposely to launch more attacks.

Manonggiring said the Muslim community leaders in different barangays of Cebu City promised him that they will never allow any person who wants to create trouble here.

Abdurahman Rabuya, one of the Muslim leaders who met with Romana in City Hall, said Muslims living in Cebu City are peace-loving people and they do not want trouble.

Romana said when he reviewed the security procedures implemented in the port area, he discovered that while the security is very strict for people who want to board vessels, nothing is being done to screen those who are arriving. He said he wants to coordinate with the Cebu Port Authority officials to strengthen and improve their security procedures.

Meanwhile, security at the Mactan Cebu International Airport was elevated after airport management decided to ask passengers to present their shoes for X-ray scanning again.

Airport officials said the MCIA is now under Security Condition 2 which requires passengers to take off their shoes for inspection before boarding their flights.

MCIA general manager Paul Villarete said all passengers for domestic and international flights should be inspected thoroughly including their shoes.

A few months ago, MCIA lessened its inspection and allowed passengers to board without presenting shoes for scanning removed so as not to delay the passengers during peak season.

However, after the bombings in Mindanao and the rumored security threat in Cebu last week, MCIA raised its security awareness.