PNP on heightened alert for signing of peace document

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine National Police has raised the level of its security alertness in Luzon and the Visayas to one of heightened alert as part of the security measures for the historic signing in Malacañang on Monday of a preliminary agreement between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front on ending the 40-year Moro insurgency in Mindanao.

The Philippines is expecting a number of high-profile visitors to attend Monday’s signing, including Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak and Organization of Islamic Cooperation Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu. The OIC is the second largest intergovernmental organization in the world after the United Nations.

Chief Superintendent Generoso Cerbo Jr., PNP spokesman, said the heightened security alert level was not because of any threat to disrupt Monday’s signing.

“We raised the security alert not because we have monitored threats but more for enhancing security given the number of foreign guests and dignitaries who will arrive for the signing,” Cerbo said.

He likened the event to a mini-summit or a mini-international conference, which required raising the level of security preparedness.

The foreign dignitaries are expected to start arriving in the country Sunday, he added.

Cerbo said that Mindanao has traditionally been on full alert status.