ShareThisPolice, military on red alert as Aquino appeals
MANILA/WASHINGTON – The United States has joined Great Britain and three other countries, all allies in its global war on terror, in alerting its citizens on terror threats in the Philippines, especially Mindanao.
An airport police K9 unit patrol in front of the departures hall at the Manila International Airport on November 3, 2010. The Philippines boosted security on November 3 after Western governments warned that terrorist attacks could occur at any time in the capital and other parts of the country. The United States, Britain, Australia, Canada and New Zealand warned their citizens that public areas often visited by foreigners in Manila, such as shopping centres and airports, were potential targets.
American citizens and the citizens of the four other countries were urged to avoid areas frequented by foreigners like shopping malls, airports and churches in Metro Manila.
The US travel alert came after a near terror attack through mail bombs from Yemen on its shores and hours after the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada issued similar advisories to their citizens planning to travel or are already in the Philippines.
This prompted the Philippine Postal Corporation led by Chairman Alfredo Gabot and acting Postmaster General Antonio de Guzman to scrutinize thoroughly mails and packages sent to the Philippines or to foreign countries through Manila.
The Philippine military and police were put on highest alert to avert any terrorist attacks even as experts warned the Philippines against ignoring the terror threats.
Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesman Senior Superintendent Agrimero Cruz Jr. said security has been tightened around major installations to thwart possible terror attacks.
“We have heightened security measures on vital installations, transportation hubs, terminals and economic key points,” he said.
Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin allayed fears due to the terrorist threat advisories. “Actually, we do not have terror threat here in the Philippines,” said Gazmin. “Nevertheless, we are preparing. We are using our intelligence operatives. We are deploying them so they would know the source of the threats if there are any,” he added.
“Of course (foreigners are safe in the Philippines). We have deployed intelligence units. They are now monitoring the situation to thwart the plans of anyone who would seek to sow terror,” Gazmin said.
AFP chief Gen. Ricardo David, Jr. said they would make sure that the Abu Sayyaf would not be able to launch terror attacks in Metro Manila or elsewhere.
President Benigno S. Aquino III and other officials protested the alarm raised by US and the five countries on the Philippines, saying they maybe based on raw information about planned terrorists’ activities here.
To be sure, Malacañang declared Metro Manila on high alert as part of “precautionary measures.”
The President directed the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to coordinate with the embassies in Manila of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand and Australia here and ask them to downgrade their travel warnings against the Philippines.
Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma said that the travel advisories against the Philippines stemmed from a foiled attack on the U.S.
“It is a global threat that is why our defense security establishments followed suit. This was the result of continuing multilateral intelligence coordination and exchange of information with friendly nations,” Coloma said.
Coloma further said that Malacañang understood that the five countries (that issued travel advisories) had security concerns in the Philippines.
He assured that the DFA would work this out as travel advisories had a negative impact on the country’s tourism industry.
Coloma also called on the public to exercise care, caution, vigilance and preparedness in spite of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ pronouncement that there is no real threat.
In Manila, the British embassy clarified that its travel alert is a long-standing warning about the terrorist threat in the Philippines.
Colin Crorkin, deputy chief of mission, said the British government shared intelligence with the Australians, who warned the other day that the terror threat could cover Metro Manila.
In reaction to the warning of the five countries, the Armed Forces of the Philippines said that there is no imminent threat of terror attack in the country.
In a travel advisory issued on Tuesday, the US State Department warned Americans of the risks of going to Mindanao and Sulu and said indiscriminate attacks could also occur in other areas, including Metro Manila.
“US citizens traveling, living, and working throughout the Philippines are urged to exercise heightened caution in public gathering places. US citizens should exercise caution when traveling in the vicinity of demonstrations since they can turn confrontational and possibly escalate to violence,” the advisory said.
“Travelers should exercise extreme caution if traveling in the central and western portions of the island of Mindanao, as well as in the islands of the Sulu Archipelago. Regional terrorist groups have carried out bombings resulting in injuries and death,” the advisory added.
The State Department said it updated its travel advisory to reflect continuing threats due to terrorist and insurgent activities in the Philippines.
Last Oct. 21, a bus bombing in Mindanao killed 10 people but it was not yet determined whether this was a terrorist act or a case of plain extortion.
The Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, for its part, cited threats to Westerners and Western interests in the Philippines and that kidnap-for-ransom activities remain despite breakthroughs in the government drive against them.
Canadian nationals are advised against traveling to the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, which includes Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao and Sharif Kabunsuan, as well as the Zamboanga Peninsula, Zamboanga del Sur, Saragani, Lanao del Norte, Davao del Sur (excluding urban areas of Davao City), South Cotabato, North Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat.
“The threat of terrorist activities exists, particularly in Mindanao. Bombs have exploded in shopping malls, on public transportation, at airports and port facilities, in places of worship, and in other public areas. Further explosions are possible anywhere in the country,” Canada’s travel alert read.
New Zealand also advised its citizens wishing to travel or are already in the Philippines to “exercise caution at this time.”
“There is some risk to your security elsewhere in the Philippines, including in Manila, due to the threat from terrorism and risk of kidnapping. We continue to receive reports that terrorists are planning attacks, including in places frequented by foreigners such as large shopping malls and convention centers. New Zealanders are strongly advised to exercise caution at this time,” the advisory said.
New Zealand said traveling to Mindanao, particularly to selected areas like Basilan and the Sulu Archipelago is extremely dangerous.
“Terrorism, kidnapping and violent clashes between the military and terrorist or rebel groups make travel to these areas extremely dangerous,” New Zealand’s advisory said.