CEBU CITY, Philippines - A red alert was hoisted over Central Visayas at 6 p.m. on Monday in the aftermath of armed clashes in Mindanao.But a military spokesman said the possibility of a spillover of violence was “remote.” “We are also intensifying our intelligence efforts. But as of now, there's a remote possibility of a spillover. We have not monitored any groups here that may launch a sympathy attack,” said Major Christopher Tampus, AFP Central Command (Centcom) information officer. The military and police are taking precautions in anticipation of possible attacks by communist rebels taking advantage of the ongoing clashes between troops and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Mindanao. Tampus said the red alert status was raised in response to possible communist New People’s Army (NPA) attacks on vital public and private installations including cell cites in Region 7. Police units in the region were directed to step up security and monitor their areas. Chief Superintendent Ronald Roderos, Police Regional Office-Central Visayas (PRO-7) chief, said he was in touch with Muslim leaders and groups in Cebu and got their assurance that they would help watch out for suspicious characters that may arrive in the province. "You must remember that we are nearer to Mindanao than Manila so we are preparing for that, to prevent any spillover,” Roderos said, though he stressed there was no specific threat for now. In a dialogue with local government officials and Muslim groups, Roderos said he and Regional Director Sakiran Hajan of the Office of Muslim Affairs-Central Visayas (OMA 7) agreed that Muslim residents who have relatives and friends visiting from Mindanao should register in their barangay (village) list “for the sake of transparency.” Troops of the 43rd Infantry Battalion (IB) stationed in Bohol were flown to Cagayan de Oro City on Tuesday to reinforce troops fighting the MILF rebels in Lanao del Norte province. Tampus said this was the second battalion deployed to Mindanao in the wake of the MILF assaults there. The first wave involved the entire 46th Infantry Battalion based in Northern Samar to Northern Cotabato almost two weeks ago. A battalion has 450 to 500 officers and soldiers.
“The whole 43rd IB will be flown to Cagayan de Oro City, waiting for deployment in Lanao del Norte,” Tampus said. Tampus said two companies of special forces (SF) remained in Bohol while another company of troops from Negros will be pulled out and brought to Bohol to maintain security in the region. Two battalions of soldiers remain stationed in Eastern Samar area, he said.
Hajan said Muslim community leaders will help monitor the security of ports, airports, mosques and different markets in Central Visayas. “We are working very hard in achieving peace here in Cebu. We are behind the local government unit and the national government. We are strengthening the monitoring and intelligence networks in every community,” Hajan said. There are 22 Muslim communities in Metro Cebu with a population of about 15,000.
In Cebu city, there are 5,000 Muslims in the villages of Ermita, Sikatuna, Kamputhaw, Lahug, Basak San Nicolas, and Alaska Mambaling. / With stories from Correspondent Justin Anjuli K. Vestil and Reporter Marian Z. Codilla | 
