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MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine National Police (PNP) said Thursday Muslim communities in Metro Manila should not worry about their safety amid the continuing clashes in Zamboanga City between government forces and members of the Moro National Liberation Front.
Senior Superintendent Reuben Theodore Sindac, PNP-Public Information Office chief, issued the statement as Chief Superintendent Marcelo Garbo Jr., National Capital Region Police Office chief, ordered district directors to conduct coordination and dialogues with various Muslim communities in Metro Manila.
“Walang dapat ikabahala ang Muslim community dito sa National Capital Region (The members of the Muslim communities in the National Capital Region have nothing to worry about),” Sindac said.
On Wednesday, Police Senior Superintendent Maria Asuncion Placino, chief directorial staff of the PNP-Police Community Relations Group, said coordination with Imams was taken to ensure peace and order in Metro Manila amid the conflict in Zamboanga City.
She said they are making an honest to goodness camaraderie with Muslims to make them feel secure.
Garbo earlier placed the entire NCRPO under heightened alert, due to the standoff in Zamboanga, the recent bombing attacks in Davao City and nation’s rage against P10-billion pork barrel scam.
“Although we have not received any significant information of any serious threat inside the metropolis, he (Garbo) has taken it upon himself to just heighten the alertness of the police force in Metro Manila so that our policemen will be on guard and they will, of course be more conscious in their respective police stations,” Sindac said.
With the heightened alert status, policemen are to secure vital installations and monitor crowded areas like malls, bus terminals, jeepney stops, airports and seaports.
Asked about the possible presence of MNLF fighters in Manila, Sindac said police are not discounting this.