Tighter security for RP embassies ordered

President Arroyo ordered tighter security yesterday for Philippine embassies and businesses following reported threats against the country’s interests abroad.

Mrs. Arroyo said in a statement that the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) was coordinating with host countries on "intensified security measures for our embassies and other Philippine establishments abroad to thwart any terrorist attempts."

The President’s statement came after a report from Thailand claimed that Philippine Airlines was among three airlines being targeted for a terror attack.

Thai police reported on Monday that threats were sent to the offices of Philippine Airlines and other foreign airlines in Bangkok.

The threats appeared similar to those previously made against embassies in Thailand last week by a mysterious group known as the "Yellow-Red Overseas Organization."

The warnings are believed related to the support of the so-called "coalition of the willing" for the US presence in Iraq. The Philippines has 51 soldiers and policemen assisting the occupation forces in Iraq and has rejected calls to bring home the contingent. However, the troops were restricted to camp and plans to send reinforcements were suspended.

"Strong security measures are in place domestically, but we urge the citizenry to continue being vigilant to protect the gains that we have achieved in the anti-terrorism drive," Mrs. Arroyo said.

"Normalcy and calm must go hand in hand with alertness where Filipinos live and work," she added.

Meanwhile, in a press briefing at Malacañang yesterday, Deputy Presidential Spokesman Ricardo Saludo explained that the directive of Mrs. Arroyo to the DFA was not based on a specific threat against embassies or other Philippine establishments abroad.

"Our policy in counter-terrorism is that it is better to be prepared," Saludo said.

The Philippines, one of the first to have declared its support to the US-led war against Iraq, has been a target of terror attacks in the past.

In December 2000, simultaneous bombing incidents all over Metro Manila were carried out and more recently a vessel of the SuperFerry caught fire in what the Abu Sayyaf group claimed as its handiwork.

Former ambassador to Indonesia Leonides Caday was also a victim of a terrorist attack in Jakarta four years ago which he narrowly escaped.

Prior to the presidential directive, security at embassies and consulates had already been tightened in the wake of the attack on Iraq. — AFP, Marvin Sy