NCRPO monitoring Muslim communities

MANILA, Philippines - The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) is closely monitoring Muslim communities in Metro Manila to prevent the spillover of the Sabah fighting in the metropolis.

NCRPO chief Director Leonardo Espina fielded intelligence agents to closely monitor Muslim communities, particularly Maharlika Village in Taguig City.

“We should know what our brother Muslims are doing, especially those sympathizing with the heirs of the Sultan of Sulu,” he said.

Espina also ordered intensified patrols in the Muslim areas in Payatas, Quezon City and Quiapo, Manila.

He also directed NCRPO intelligence chief Senior Superintendent Sotero Ramos Jr. to secure the Malaysian embassy in Makati City and the house of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) chieftain Nur Misuari in Manila.

Ramos said they will be securing vital government installations like the oil depots in Manila, financial institutions and places of heavy public convergence like malls.

The defense and military leaderships, on the other hand, said that the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is the best agency to handle the matter. Nobody in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is allowed to speak on the issue.

Peter Paul Valdez, defense spokesman, said that the defiance of the group of Datu Raja Muda Agbimuddin Kiram to leave Tandou, a coastal village in Lahad Datu, could have triggered Malaysia to take the harsh action.

“We are all under orders to shut our mouth on this particular problem in Sabah,” a military officer said.

But another officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, said yesterday’s assault on Kiram’s group in Tandou will have a direct effect on overall security of the entire Sabah.

– With Jaime Laude