'We are one with you'

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines expressed yesterday solidarity with the American people as they commemorate the 10th anniversary of the worst terror attack in the United States.

The US has issued a travel advisory for its citizens living or traveling abroad as it prepares to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terror attacks in New York and Washington.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the Philippines respects the right and responsibility of the US government to issue travel warnings to ensure the protection of its citizens.

“In the same manner, our law enforcement authorities remain vigilant in maintaining peace and order on the ground and in ensuring the safety of the general public, including tourists and businessmen,” the DFA said in a statement.

On the reported possible attack in New York, DFA spokesman Raul Hernandez said the information is still unconfirmed.

“Nevertheless, our embassy in Washington and Consulate General in New York are closely monitoring the situation and are in touch with the Filipinos in the area who are enjoined to be cautious and vigilant,” Hernandez said.

“Should anything happen, they also stand ready to provide assistance,” he added.

Malacañang, through deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte, also expressed solidarity with the US and other nations who lost their citizens in the 9/11 attacks in ensuring worldwide peace and security.

Valte said the Philippines will be on alert and will remain vigilant, particularly in some areas in Mindanao, as the international community joins the US in commemoration of the attacks.

“A decade after the terror attacks on New York City and Washington, the world pauses in solemn remembrance of the grievous losses in lives on that day. We, the Filipino people, join the world in commemorating the heroism demonstrated in so many ways on that day, too. Most of all, this is a day for all nations and peoples to reaffirm their commitment to peace and stability built on mutual respect and dialogue between cultures and religions,” Valte said.

Valte said the Philippines had taken note of the US advisory that warned of possible terror attacks on America and its interests worldwide.

“And while we are not upgrading our security alerts for the PNP (Philippine National Police), we are closely watching and monitoring any development. Because of this event, the police and military have tightened security measures a long time ago and they are continuously on guard,” she said.

Washington has issued a 9-11 anniversary travel alert for all US citizens traveling and residing abroad of the continued threat posed by al-Qaeda and its affiliates.

“While we have not identified any specific threats from al-Qaeda affiliates and allies to attack the United States or our interests on the 9/11 anniversary, US citizens should be aware that al-Qaeda affiliates and allies have demonstrated the intent and capability to carry out attacks against the United States and our interests around the world,” the US State Department said.

The State Department said terrorist organizations have on occasion planned their attacks to coincide with significant dates on the calendar.

Washington warned on June 15 US nationals of the risk of terror activity in Mindanao and Manila as it remains concerned about the continuing threat of terrorist actions and violence against their citizens and interests throughout the world.

On the other hand, Valte said the Philippine government has ramped up its intelligence gathering for any terror threat but the PNP would still be under “normal alert” except for certain areas in Mindanao.

“We have not monitored any specific threats from known groups or personalities that have links with local or foreign terrorists. But again, our PNP, they will remain vigilant and watchful of any development that may affect peace and order,” Valte said.

The PNP yesterday placed its units in Metro Manila and 10 other regions under “heightened alert status” as the terror threat clouds gather ahead of the 9/11 commemoration in the US.

National police spokesman Chief Superintendent Agrimero Cruz said the PNP is reiterating its alert status order issued last July 29 that placed the national headquarters, all national police support units and Metro Manila under a heightened alert status.

Also placed under a heightened alert status are the Cordillera Administrative Region and the regions of Ilocos, Cagayan, Central Luzon, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon), Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan), Bicol, Western Visayas, Central Visayas and Eastern Visayas.

Cruz said the PNP’s elite Special Action Force and police units in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Zamboanga Peninsula and in Caraga remain on a full alert status.

“All unit commanders are reminded to take all steps necessary, particularly target hardening measures, to secure all PNP camps and offices, vital installations, economic key points and places where people converge,” he said.

Cruz added that unit commanders are also given the discretion to upgrade the alert status levels based on the prevailing peace and order situations in their respective areas.

Immigration and airport officials are also placed under heightened alert.

Immigration Commissioner Ricardo David Jr. and Manila International Airport Authority general manager Jose Honrado directed their respective security personnel and intelligence officials to impose a heightened state of alert.

Honrado ordered his security officials to closely monitor all kinds of vehicles going to Ninoy Aquino International Airport terminals and dispatched K9 bomb sniffing dogs in sensitive areas.

Immigration officials, on the other hand, are tasked to be on the lookout for suspected terrorists arriving in the country.

David directed all immigration officials and intelligence agents at the airports and seaports to be on double alert 24 hours a day and be on the lookout for suspected foreign terrorists who might attempt to slip into the country.

He added that foreigners “deemed as potential threats to national security shall be closely monitored and, if possible, subjected to secondary inspection by the immigration officers on duty.”

Arriving foreigners with questionable reasons for visiting the country would be booked on the first available flight to their port of origin.

Preventive practices

On the eve of the 10th anniversary of 9/11, American think tank Heritage Foundation stressed the importance of taking stock of what the US government must do to ensure that the attack would never happen again.

“Simply applauding the achievement and taking only a forward-looking approach is not nearly enough to prevent the next attack,” the Heritage Foundation said.

In 2007, The Heritage Foundation became the first and only organization tracking thwarted terrorist attacks against the US. That year, Heritage reported that at least 19 publicly known terrorist attacks against the US had been foiled since 9/11.

“Today, that number stands at 40. The fact that the United States has not suffered a large-scale attack since 9/11 truly speaks to the country’s counterterrorism successes,” the Heritage said.

The organization said reviewing the terrorist plots that have been foiled since 9/11 can provide valuable information for understanding the nature of the threat, as well as best practices for preventing the next attack.

Former national police chief Hermogenes Ebdane, on the other hand, said the 9/11 terror plot was not hatched in the Philippines, as was widely believed.

Ebdane, incumbent Zambales governor, believes that Operation Bojinka, a plot that included bombing 11 US-bound commercial planes from Southeast Asia and the assassination of Pope John Paul II, was not hatched in the Philippines.

In an interview over Radio Mindanao Network, Ebdane recalled the raid of an apartment in Manila in 1995 that led to the arrest of terrorist Abdul Hakim Murad and discovery of Oplan Bojinka.

It was believed that Oplan Bojinka was the precursor of the 9/11 US terrorist attacks.

Ebdane said he was the director of the Western Police District at the time when police operatives led by Commander Aida Fariscal checked the Josefa Apartments in Manila after a fire broke out inside the room occupied by Murad and Ramzi Yousef on Jan. 6, 1995, just days before the arrival of Pope John Paul II.

The investigation of the fire led to the discovery of explosives and a computer that contained the details of Oplan Bojinka.

Ebdane said police discovered that the suspects were preparing explosives using a stove, which accidentally triggered the fire.

An intensive investigation resulted in the discovery of floppy disks and a laptop owned by Yousef, which contained Oplan Bojinka.

He said the place was secured and Murad was arrested. Yousef managed to fly out of the country but was eventually arrested in Pakistan.

Ebdane said the room occupied by Murad and Yousef yielded pipe bombs, watches, wires and cotton soaked in chemicals. Oplan Bojinka was detailed in the laptop.

Ebdane said they requested an expert to open the computer since it had a self-destruct mechanism.

Ebdane said US and Philippine authorities cooperated to facilitate the prosecution of the terrorists.

Ebdane said investigation showed Murad and his cohorts also learned to fly a plane by enrolling in an aviation school at Clark in Pampanga.

Meanwhile, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. renewed his call on Congress for the immediate passage of the bill seeking to amend key provisions in the Human Security Act of 2007.

Ochoa stressed the need to amend the law to boost the government’s anti-terrorism initiatives, strengthen prosecution of suspected terrorists and address possible abuse of the law by authorities.

Ochoa, who also chairs the Anti-Terrorism Council, said the changes Malacañang was seeking were designed to give more teeth to the law and make the measure consistent with existing international agreements and Philippine laws.

“The government recognizes that terrorism is a constant threat that requires us to be vigilant. After reviewing our counter-terrorism initiatives, we decided to focus on strengthening anti-terror legislation to make it more responsive to the threats posed by terrorists,” he said.

Under the law, terrorism is punishable by 40 years imprisonment without the benefit of parole.

To strengthen prosecution, Ochoa said there was a need to remove sections of the Human Security Act that required authorities to inform suspected terrorists that they were under surveillance and their bank accounts were subject of investigation, as well as the portion of the law that disallowed the application of the law one month before and two months after an election.

“These provisions defeat the whole purpose of covert surveillance and investigations by the authorities,” he said.

“We want these amended to make our law a more effective tool in our efforts to prevent terrorism.” –With Mike Frialde, Rudy Santos, Evelyn Macairan