Metro police alert in terror-prone areas ahead of 9/11
By Abigail Kwok
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 16:05:00 09/08/2008
Filed Under: Security (general), Acts of terror, Police
MANILA, Philippines -- Police in the National Capital Region (NCR) are closely monitoring key areas where terrorists could strike as the seventh anniversary of the attack on the US on Sept. 11, 2001 draws near, an official said Monday.
In an interview, NCR Police Office director Geary Barias said the 9/11 anniversary on Thursday would be an “added factor” to the heightened security across Metro Manila.
“We are already on full red alert status as of two weeks ago and we cannot go in a higher status than the full alert status. [But] we can also consider the significance of 9/11 in maybe monitoring terroristic groups that may attack here in Metro Manila,” he said.
On Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist group al-Qaeda led a series of coordinated suicide attacks by crashing commercial planes at the World Trade Center in New York City and at the Pentagon, killing thousands. Another plane, which reports said was supposed to have been headed for Washington, crashed into a field in Somerset County, Pennsylvania after passengers fought off the hijackers.
Barias said they would be closely monitoring key areas that were “prone to terrorist attacks,” including cell sites, sea ports, airports, bus terminals, malls, and train stations.
“We will do some target-hardening in these areas,” he said.
Earlier Monday, Chief Superintendent Roberto Rosales, Manila Police District (MPD) head, said he has tightened security, particularly in the vicinity of the US Embassy.
Bomb squads, K-9 units, and additional mobile patrol units have been deployed.
Police have raised full alert status in Metro Manila since fighting began in Mindanao between Moro rebels and government troops after the Supreme Court stopped the signing of the memorandum of agreement on ancestral domain between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in August.
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