‘Lone wolf attack an int’l security concern’

MANILA, Philippines — Security officials are not ruling out the possibility of a lone wolf attack in key areas of the country, including Metro Manila.

Department of National Defense spokesman Arsenio Andolong said a lone wolf attack is also the concern of security forces worldwide, particularly during a high profile event.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana stressed the possibility of a lone wolf attack during the Association of Southeast Asia Defense Ministers Meeting (ADDM)-Plus held last month at Clark Field in Pampanga.

On Friday, the Australian embassy issued an alert to its citizens, warning of a high probability of terror attack in Mindanao and Metro Manila.

The Australian alert was issued more than a week ahead of the holding of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Meetings to be hosted by the Philippines.

Andolong described the Australia terror alert as normal procedures of foreign governments.

Andolong noted foreign embassies’ advisories to their nationals overseas following the recent “lone wolf” terror attack in the US.

“I believe that’s one of their reactions to what happened recently in New York and there seems to be a pattern emerging because of the incidents that also happened in other countries,” Andolong said.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Maj. Gen. Restituto Padilla said Australia’s travel advisory was just issued by its embassy in Manila to reiterate its previous travel warning.

Padilla earlier warned of the possibility of a lone wolf attack, particularly from sympathizers of the Islamic State-linked Maute group who were defeated by government forces in the five-month battle to retake Marawi City.

Padilla, however, assured the public the military has not monitored any credible terror threats in Metro Manila or in other key areas of the country.

He said the AFP has put forward ample and best forces to work with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and other agencies in securing the ASEAN summit.

Padilla said the troops from the AFP Joint Task Force National Capital Region (JTFNCR) led by Brig. Gen. Jesus Manangquil Jr. will personally head the military contingent in securing the ASEAN summit in coordination with the PNP.

“JTF-NCR has devised an operational plan where five Joint Task Groups will be deployed to perform security and emergency response operations in support of other government agencies during the conduct of the said summit from Nov. 10 to 14,” Padilla said.

The AFP-JTF-NCR will also provide augmentation forces to the Metro Manila-based National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) and the President Security Group (PSG).

As metro sentinel of the seat of the national government, Padilla added the JTF-NCR has long been planning and preparing for contingency measures to address any worse case threat scenario before, during and after the ASEAN Summit.

“In case of any natural and man-made disaster occurring during the summit, specialized land, air and sea forces are all set to support all tasked units and delegates of the 31st ASEAN Summit,” Padilla said. 

Another security official also said the government’s security and intelligence apparatus are working to derail possible terror plots.

“On top of the sustained monitoring, we are also conducting an intelligence build-up for possible launching of disruption operations,” the anti-terror official said.