Palace to US: RP ready for terror

Malacañang assured the United States yesterday that authorities are prepared to thwart terrorist attacks in the Philippines, saying heightened security following a wave of bombings should allow people to live normally.

In a notice posted Thursday on its Internet site, the US Embassy warned of possible terrorist bombings — possibly targeting Americans — from All Saints’ Day through the New Year holiday.

The warning said cemeteries and nightspots in Metro Manila were among public areas at risk.

Presidential Spokesman Rigoberto Tiglao said yesterday the advisory may have been "exaggerated."

"The (national police) are doing everything to secure (the public) and ensure that the citizenry is safe. They have been doing this for several months already," Tiglao told reporters.

He appealed to the US Embassy here to explain to the State Department that Philippine forces "have been doing their jobs."

The Department of Foreign Affairs will brief the embassy on the security measures taken by the police and the military.

"We regret though that such an American advisory has a (tendency) to scare people more," Tiglao said. "We have remained vigilant. We have not allowed ourselves to be (made) hostage by these threats by stopping our work or whatever we are doing because of these threats."

Tourism Secretary Richard Gordon, reacting to the US Embassy notice, defended the Philippines’ record, saying that unlike in other countries, "no massive terrorism attacks have been conducted against tourists in this country."

"Are we taking precautions? I think we are. There are Marines in the malls," he said in a telephone interview with the Associated Press. "Let’s exercise caution, but let’s not let the terrorists ruin our lives."

Philippine security forces went on full alert yesterday, with military bomb-sniffing dogs and police bomb disposal experts dispatched to screen baggage at bus terminals and in cemeteries.

Police visibility was high and dozens of sharp and pointed objects that could be used as weapons were confiscated in all cemeteries, where liquor, loud music and playing cards were also banned.

Marines and the military’s elite strike units were deployed to augment the 16,000-police force in Metro Manila, where 66 private and public cemeteries were deemed possible targets.

"Among the things we should continue to fight for are unity, peace, prosperity and safety from elements of terror that have no place in our civilized society," President Arroyo said in her All Saints’ Day message.

Mrs. Arroyo had earlier assured the public they could visit their dead and relax in malls without fear of terrorist attacks.

The notice said US Embassy officials "judge that the terrorist threat to official and private Americans in the Philippines remains high."

"In the light of recent terrorist activity in the Philippines and in the region, it remains prudent to assume that terrorists are targeting Americans or others in the Philippines," it said.

The embassy urged Americans to be especially cautious in shopping malls and when using public transportation, and to avoid crowded places, including nightclubs and bars, through the New Year’s holiday.

Five deadly bomb attacks last month, including two in department stores, killed at least 21 people and wounded over 200 others, mostly in Zamboanga City.

A US soldier and three Filipinos were killed on Oct. 2 when a bomb went off also in Zamboanga. Another US soldier was wounded.

Director General Hermogenes Ebdane Jr., chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), toured crowded cemeteries to check on security precautions, but said there were no reports of any untoward incidents.

"It hope it will stay that way," Ebdane said, adding that the US warning was only a "precaution" for Americans in the country.

"The US warning was just a caution to its residents here for them to choose the places they wanted to visit. It was not an actual travel ban for its citizens not to go here," he said.

Ebdane denied an earlier STAR report that police had evidence that the secessionist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) was planning bombings in Metro Manila shopping malls and nightspots.

"As far as the PNP is concerned, we deny to have ‘admitted’ having received evidence that the MILF is planning massive bombings in shopping malls and trendy nightspots in Metro Manila," Ebdane said. – With Jaime Laude, AFP