Mayor Beng Climaco reiterated yesterday her directive to the police and military authorities in Zamboanga City: “Do not give terrorists the opportunity to conduct terroristic activities” in this part of the region.

“The opportunity for them (terrorists) to attack is always there. So, what we should do is deny them that (opportunity), especially now that Zamboanga City is under full alert status (coded Red),” Climaco stressed when she convened the City Peace and Order Council (CPOC) meeting yesterday afternoon at City Hall conference room.

This, as the chief executive lamented what she termed as “breach of security” in certain lapses in security measures for places of worship that she personally observed at Fort Pilar Shrine.

“The security (in that area) was not tightened. There was no security checks or frisking of people going inside, and some people were seen entering a supposedly restricted (no entry) area,” the mayor lamented as she called the attention of the Tourist Police Action Center for the security lapses.

“My directive. Your mission is: Do not give terrorists the opportunity to conduct terroristic activities in the city,” Climaco told the police and military officials attending the CPOC meeting as she requested them to recite it on mic, one after the other.

The full alert status in the city came after the June 28 bombings in Indanan, Sulu last June 28 that killed eight people and injured several others, including government troopers.-(Vic Larato)