No specific threat during Holy Week

The Philippine National Police (PNP) yesterday said there is no specific threat that may disrupt the Catholic observance of Holy Week.

PNP Directorate for Operations chief Director Wilfredo Garcia said that while police have not monitored any specific threats, the PNP will not relax its guard: “We have not monitored any specific terrorist threats but definitely, we have to prepare for any eventuality. Our men in the field have been directed to beef up security.”

PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Samuel Pagdilao Jr. echoed Garcia’s statement, saying: “Negative for any threat so far.”

PNP chief Director General Oscar Calderon earlier ordered all regional police directors and police operational support unit commanders to beef up security and public safety plans to ensure a peaceful observance of Holy Week.

“The terrorist threat during Holy Week in 2005 stemmed from the series of bombings in Makati City on Valentine’s Day (and) also in 2005 in General Santos and Davao,” Calderon said. “There is no such threat now.”

The Valentine’s Day bombings left 11 people dead and at least 93 injured and police believed the attacks were the handiwork of the Abu Sayyaf.

The government stepped up its anti-terrorism campaign after it learned of terrorist plots to carry out bombings in the Philippines that had been uncovered after Holy Week 2005.

These terrorist plots were thwarted after authorities seized sacks of explosives from an apartment rented by suspected terrorists in Quezon City on the day before Maundy Thursday in 2005.

Calderon also reminded all police unit commanders, particularly those whose areas of jurisdiction are infested with communist insurgents, that “while we will be concentrating on public protection and assistance, the communist insurgents may take advantage of the occasion by harassing police stations or attacking vital government installations to embarrass the government.

In case of emergency, Calderon reminded the public to report incidences to the PNP Patrol 117 hotline or TXT PNP 2920.