ZAMBOANGA CITY – Authorities are closely monitoring the security of a governor and several mayors in the Zamboanga Peninsula region as they face threats to their lives, a top police official said Tuesday.
Brig. Gen. Neil Alinsañgan, Police Regional Office (PRO) 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula) director, withheld the identities of the governor and mayors who have received death threats.
There are three elected governors, five city mayors, and 67 municipal mayors within the PRO-9’s area of responsibility.
“It would be best if we will not identify them for their protection,” Alinsañgan said, pointing out that in most instances, the threat against elected government officials is related to politics.
He said elected officials from nearby provinces are allowed to bring with them two armed security escorts in coming to this city.
He noted that 48 elected government officials in nearby provinces have established residence here.
Most of them are from the provinces of Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi (BaSulTa), which are under the political jurisdiction of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
The city serves as the gateway to major cities in the country, which is why elected BaSulTa officials frequent the city, especially if they are on official travel. (PNA)
