Capitol Joins Security Exercise vs Kidnapping, Terror Attack

The Cebu Provincial Government took part in Central Command’s (Centcom) Oplan: Pag-abog, the inter-operability and response testing operation against possible terrorist attacks in Cebu Province.

In a simulated kidnapping scenario held in southern Cebu on Tuesday, personnel from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine Army, Navy and the Coast Guard demonstrated response capability in handling kidnap operation. Among the agencies involved in the rescue action were the Philippine National Police (PNP), Cebu Provincial Government and local government units of Sibonga and Santander.

Provincial Administrator Mark Tolentino said that among the purposes of the security maneuver was to organize the forces of the Capitol and involved agencies in responding to incidents such as kidnapping.

In an unannounced simulated kidnapping and hostage-taking scenario, a tour operator reported to the PNP that foreign tourists were nabbed by three unidentified armed men while watching whale sharks in Oslob, Cebu. The perpetrators fled through a motorized banca. The PNP verified the report and went with the Philippine Coast Guard for a maritime patrol in the area with air support from the Mactan Benito Ebuan Air base.

Tolentino, the designated incident commander of Oplan: Pag-abog, added that choppers from Dumaguete City also supported the rescue operation while Police Regional Office 7 ordered the seaborne patrol in Mactan area.

“The PNP conducted checkpoints in Oslob for a possible Abu Sayaff presence or diversion,” said Tolentino.

Tolentino added that even if the PNP dispelled the alleged Abu Sayaff presence in Cebu, still preparation is the most effective way to combat threats.

“The inter-office collaboration aims to test the inter-operability of the involved agencies when a kidnapping incident will happen in the province,” he said.

Earlier this month, the US Embassy in the Philippines issued a travel warning to its citizens over alleged terrorist group’s plan to conduct kidnappings in Cebu South, particularly in Dalaguete, Santander and Sumilon island. PIO Press Release

cebu.gov.ph