V-Day bomb threat remains, DOJ says

Tomorrow marks the first anniversary of the bloody Valentine’s Day bombing, and Abu Sayyaf leaders are reportedly threatening to duplicate the carnage as proof that the group is alive and well.

"The threat is very real. The police and the military are not taking any chances," Senior State Prosecutor Emmanuel Velasco of the Department of Justice (DOJ) said yesterday.

Notwithstanding the threat of the Abu Sayyaf, Velasco assured the public that the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) have gained much headway against the bandit group by discouraging them from launching another high-profile attack.

In the early evening of Feb. 14, 2004, a bomb ripped through a bus in the southbound lane of EDSA in Makati City, killing four people and wouding nearly a hundred others.

The Abu Sayyaf claimed responsibility for the bombing, as well two other simultaneous bomb attacks in Davao City and General Santos City — claiming they were a retaliation for the intensified military offensives against the group.

A year later, an Indonesian and two Abu Sayyaf bandits accused in the bombings were sentenced to death by the Makati court.

Velasco, who was among the prosecutors of the case, had warned that the Abu Sayyaf might launch retaliatory attacks following the death verdict.

He said security forces had uncovered another plan to attack on Valentine’s Day but assured the people that authorities are now on alert for such possibility. "We are keeping them on the run," Velasco said.

Military and police intelligence learned of the plans last month. With the help of the DOJ, Velasco said rebellion charges have been filed against three suspects before the Makati City prosecutors office.

A former Abu Sayyaf bandit who stood as state witness against the three accused in the 2004 bombings reportedly identified those who are planning the attack, he said.

Gappal Bannah Asali, alias Boy Negro, who testified against death convicts Rohmat Abdurrohim, an Indonesian, and Abu Sayyaf operatives Angelo Trinidad and Gammal Baharan for last year’s Valentine’s Day bombing, was able to name some of the people planning another attack.

None of those who are planning the attack and charged with rebellion have been arrested but the police and the military are on their trail, he said.

"I would rather be called the prosecutor who cried wolf than see blood and mayhem on the streets on Valentine’s Day," Velasco said. "It pays for the public to be always vigilant. Go on with your lives but be on the lookout."

The National Capital Regional Police Office (NCRPO), on the other hand, remains on normal alert amid the possibility of another Valentine’s Day bomb attack.

NCRPO chief Director Vidal Querol said all security preparations had been made and made assurances that policemen in Metro Manila are on alert against possible terrorist attacks.

Querol led an inspection tour yesterday of shopping malls, commercial centers, the commuter rail transit systems and Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City, site of the World Wrestling event on Feb. 24.

"We are leaving no stone unturned in making sure that Valentine’s Day would not be taken advantage (of) by terrorists," Querol said.

The Metro police chief named Superintendent Bob Villanueva of the Regional Special Action Unit (RSAU), to head Task Force Valentine and oversee the security of Metro Manila on Valentine’s Day.

Querol, along with NCRPO intelligence chief Senior Superintendent Felipe Rojas Jr., however pointed out no intelligence reports indicated another terror attack would occur anywhere in Metro Manila on Valentine’s Day.

"There is no such report that’s why we are maintaining our normal alert level," Querol stressed. "But I’ve ordered our policemen to remain vigilant and be ready for any eventuality."

Querol though admitted security forces are closely monitoring the Muslim community in Metro Manila amid the worldwide protest over the controversial cartoons published in a Danish newspaper depicting the prophet Muhammed.

Querol has directed his five police district directors to put up mobile checkpoints on all entry and exit points of Metro Manila to prevent the sneaking in of illegal firearms and explosives.

"We will be erecting at least 10 mobile checkpoints in strategic areas of Metro Manila starting tonight so we could deter plans by any group to sow terror during Valentine’s Day," he said.

Additional policemen will be deployed in the so-called motel rows in Pasig, Caloocan, Pasay City, and in Sta. Mesa and Malate in Manila for additional security.

"We expect a high rate of occupancy in our motels and the deployment of policemen would show police presence and prevent altercation among queuing lovers," Querol said. - With Non Alquitran