The military assessed that no imminent threat of terror besets Bohol, but the province still has to brace for possible spillover of Marawi crisis.

This was among the highlights in the recent Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) meeting presided by Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III.

The RPOC considered the infiltration of the Abu Sayyaf Group to Bohol as a learning experience.

For his part, BGen. Arnulfo Matanguihan appealed for continued vigilance to be, at all times, prepared for retaliation in the future for the loss suffered by the ASG.

The RPOC also underlined that influx of internally displace people (IDP) from Mindanao is likely.

As to the threat level, the military assessed that it is moderate which means that it is “possible but not likely”.

On the concern on the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) or CNN, the military believes that its “intensifying recovery efforts in Cebu and Bohol white area or legal front operations are purposely only to generate funds.

In relation to Gov. Edgar Chatto’s directives to the Philippine Ports Authority in Bohol, it was reported during the RPOC meeting that security procedure is being established in Central Visayas ports.

The RPOC recommended that the PPA should also secure the smaller ports and establish security procedure in these areas.

Another suggestion from the RPOC is for local government units to secure coasts and tourist ports using small pump boats.

This is after the observations that there are “too few security personnel- -blue guards only- -in ports”.

The RPOC approved the motion that RPOC shall establish an audit team that shall monitor the compliance of the council members’ agreements, tasks, and report to the council their compliance.

It was carried based on the recommendation of AFP Central Command Chief, LtGen Oscar Lactao.

For her part, DSWD-7 Regional Director Evelyn Makapobre reported that DSWD has established a desk that will assist evacuees coming to the region and will also receive any donation.

On the part of the provincial government, Chatto established Tabang Marawi Help Desk in Bohol.

The provincial government had also conducted a series of security briefings to all barangay captains and barangay secretaries in the month of May.

The security briefing anchored on grassroots mobilization and barangay intelligence network against terrorism and illegal drugs.

 Chatto had also directed that special barangay assemblies of all barangays will be held before June 6.

The provincial government is organizing the grassroots in the coastal communities by giving them trainors’ training input.