MisOcc PPO increases security measures on bomb threat, unattended luggage

The Police Provincial Office, Law enforcement and response team in Misamis Occidental holds a simulation exercise on a bomb threat and unattended luggage incident at the Ozamiz Port, Wednesday afternoon. (SMRN/PIA-10/Misamis Occidental)

Aiming to boost awareness and preparedness, the Misamis Occidental Police Provincial Office (MOPPO) conducted a bomb threat and unattended luggage exercise at Seaport Area, Barangay Baybay Triunfo, Ozamiz City, April 20.

Government agencies who participated include the Provincial Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) and Canine Group (k9), Port Police, Misamis Occidental Coast Guard, Global Port, Ozamiz City Police Station, Ozamiz City Traffic Enforcers, 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC), 10th Infantry Battalion Philippine Army, Ozamiz City Maritime Pulis, Ozamiz City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).

In an interview, Port Police Superintendent Dodge Christian Cagaanan commended the efforts of the PNP in conducting the drill, saying, “The simulation exercise is held to test how prepared we are in case there would be a bombing threat and unattended luggage incident."

“Ang event successful kaayo ka’y nagkahiusa tanang agency sa pag-respond sa incident (the event was successful because all agencies were participative in responding to this kind of incident). In PPA, It has been our best practice if naa mi makita nga (we notice) unattended baggage or luggage, automatic we will respond as the first responder and then the first action is to cordon the area and we will seek assistance from the Philippine Coast Guard," Cagaanan said.

The purpose of the drill is to test the efficiency of disaster or emergency preparedness and response protocol as well as the effectiveness of a contingency plan in times of adversities or any man-made catastrophe like bomb threat or explosion.

During the simulation exercise, the agencies involved who responded made proper coordination on the scenario wherein unattended baggage was found near the passenger waiting area of Ozamiz City Seaport.

This simulation was held for the second time this year by PNP MisOcc. (SMRN/PIA-10/Misamis Occidental)