Police visibility and other security measures have been tightened in Dumaguete, following reports that Mindanao-based robbery groups, like the Kuratong Baleleng, are planning to strike in the city.

Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office deputy director for Operations, Supt. Alet Virtucio, yesterday told the Dumaguete Sangguniang Panlungsod that intelligence information received by the PNP indicated that “the Kuratong Baleleng and another group from Mindanao are planning to rob banks in Dumaguete.”

He said the police have already laid out a plan to prevent that kind of threat, and Special Weapons and Tactics personnel and members of the Provincial Public Safety Company are being deployed in the city.

The Dumaguete City Police Office was also instructed to coordinate with bank managers and other financial institutions in the city to ensure that the security measures of these establishments are in place, Virtucio said.

“There seems to be a pattern. First, a robbery took place in Cebu believed to be a handiwork of these groups, then it happened in Bohol. Hence, Negros Oriental is the logical next target,” he added.

He said that intelligence reports even indicate that the criminal groups are planning simultaneous robbery incidents in the city.*RA

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