The threat of terrorism is real and is just around the corner, newly installed Philippine National Police provincial director, Senior Supt. Melvin Ramon Buenafe, said at a media briefing yesterday at the Plaza Ma. Luisa Suites Inn, Dumaguete City.

Buenafe, with Intelligence chief SPO4 Hilbert Arinaza briefed members of the Dumaguete Press Club and the Negros Oriental public information officers on the intricacies and the different facets of terrorism during a half-day forum.

Buenafe, who said he is no longer a stranger to Oriental Negros, having been assigned to the province during the height of the insurgency in the 1980s, said the centerpiece of his program of action is called the "Operations Neighborhood Partnerships for Peace and Order."

He said he is seeking the support and cooperation of all sectors in maintaining a climate conducive to economic activity, peace and tranquility.

Buenafe said he is familiarizing himself with the area and the people and conducting dialogs and consultations with certain sectors of the community to eliminate opportunities for suspected terrorists.

His vision, he added, is for the police to do the best service as he enjoined the men in uniform to toe the line in achieving the objective.

On the other hand, Arinaza, Intelligence PNCO chief of the provincial command underscored the need to enact the anti-terrorism bill.

He said it was unfortunate that the anti-subversion law was abrogated by the Supreme Court and said he felt sad about the delayed passage of the anti-terror bill.

With the proximity of Mindanao to Oriental Negros and the presence of the open highway, the province is not exempted from terrorism activities, Arinaza pointed out.

He recalled that the sketch of Silliman University in Dumaguete City was among the documents recovered by the Armed Forces of the Philippines in one of its anti-terrorism operations in Mindanao.

Unconfirmed reports, he disclosed, said that a terrorist group is planning to kidnap somebody from Silliman University. Arinaza also revealed a plot to kill members of the press.

A proof of the heightened presence of the communist rebels in Oriental Negros was the liquidation of three persons in Guihulngan town late December 2005, by the Leonardo Panaligan command of the New People's Army, Arinaza added.*JG

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