CALM, BUT VIGILANT. Davao City Police Chief Michael John Dubria encourages the public to help keep Davao City safe by keeping a watchful eye at all times. (Paulo C. Rizal/davaotoday.com)
DAVAO CITY – The new police chief here said the terror threat announced by President Rodrigo Duterte’s son would not come from the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) terrorist group but from groups inspired by Isis.
Police Senior Superintendent Michael John Dubria told a press conference that “there are no ISIS-affiliated, accredited, recognized or confirmed groups” in Region 11.
In a phone conversation with Dubria, Davao City acting Mayor Paolo Duterte said that his ISIS group terror threat statement “is still to be validated.”
“Based on exchanges with intelligence groups and operating operatives, there is no ISIS group in Police Regional Office (PRO) 11 area of responsibility,” he said.
President Rodrigo Duterte’s son, Paolo, announced in a press conference here Thursday, July 7 that the city is facing threats from ISIS and got some information about the whereabouts of the alleged terrorist group.
He said that he already coordinated with the city’s anti-terrorism group, Task Force Davao, the Davao City Police Office, and the Eastern Mindanao Command of the military to get more information about the said threat.
Dubria said that the terror threats “might possibly come from an ISIS-inspired group.”
He said that the “ISIS-inspired groups” are groups that are trying to get support from ISIS.
“It is possible that the threats may come not only from lawless armed groups, but also from people that whose businesses are related to drugs,” he said.
Dubria said that the “if there are reports such as terror threats, it is already expected that there are threats directed to Davao city since this is the base of the President.”
He also said that even before the elder Duterte ran for the Presidency, “the region is a complex region, there are a lot of threats that we received about terrorism.”
“Even before, Davao City has so many threats already that are against our peace but I believed that the police have performed well in securing the city,” Dubria said.
He cited the hostage-taking incident by the Abu Sayyaf group last September 21, 2015 in Samal Island, which is part of the Davao Del Norte province.
Dubria said that aside the threats against the President, “there are also threats
against installations anywhere in the country.”
“My advice to the public is to remain calm but stay vigilant there is no truth on that information based on the ISIS group in Davao City or in Region 11 yet it doesn’t mean that we don’t have threats directed to our City,” Dubria said.
