The various ports in the province are on red alert 24.7 following reports of bomb threats in nearby provinces.

Engr. James Gantalao, manager of the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA-Bohol) sounded the alert as he confirmed that law enforcement agencies are not taking any chances on the security of the thousands of passengers traveling through the different ports in the province.

 With the help and support of other law enforcement agencies, “We did not take (it) for granted,” he told the media during the launching of the Information Kiosk at the PPA by Philippine Information Agency (PIA).

 The security threat received by PPA Tubigon thru manager Yolando Ponce from PCG of Leyte came as the province of Bohol will be hosting, for the second time, the conference of ministers and senior officials of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) sometime in April 2017.

 The first one mostly attended by ASEAN senior officials was in June 2014, wherein Panglao town was chosen the venue, particularly the posh South Palms resort.

The bomb threat posed by the alleged leftist rebels was being seriously tackled during the closed-door security conference presided over by PNP regional director PC/Supt. Noli Taliño last Friday.

Security measures are one of the main concerns for the ASEAN visit in the province.

 The first text threat message sent on March 10 says: “Coast guard kmsta kayo? Busy yung mga army at pulis kaka gyera. Kayo kalmante lang kayu nu? Kyo na naman kya banatan naming isa sa mga araw na ito. Subukan naming kng mgaling din kayo makigpaglaban. Ha ha ha may sasabog sa pier ng ormoc. O khit san sa pier dto sa leyte.. O malaman kng kaylan, mas maganda isa sa opsiyal nyo madali naming. Good luck. #CPP NPA NDF.”

 Another text messages received by PCG said, “good luck coast guard, pwdi naming kayo pasukin ngayon.”

 Two other messages followed: “malay nyo, may sasabog na barko at opisina ng coast guard ngayon, o bukas, o sa isang  araw.” “baka sabihin nyo, biro lng. Pwdi kami magsample ngayon din, station nyo psabugin naming,” went another.

 Security measures, like inspection of cargoes, installation of detectors equipment and several units of closed circuit television (CCTVs) are being put up already, he said.

 Although this is normal procedure to subject passengers as a requirement of every port in the country, he said, that this is not only for the protection of the incoming ASEAN visitors and dignitaries, but for everybody considering that vacation is fast approaching and the holy week.

 Augmenting said security measures are the provision of ten K-9 and training of their handlers, said provincial administrator Alfonso R. Damalerio II aside from deployment of law enforcers in all municipalities hosting ports and even airport.

  The bomb threat posed by the alleged leftist rebels was being seriously tackled during the closed-door security conference presided over by PNP regional director PC/Supt. Noli Taliño last Friday.