Security in Metro Manila tightened following twin Jolo bombings

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) yesterday beefed up its security in Metro Manila and other places in the country following the twin bombings in Jolo, Sulu last Monday that killed 14 people.

PNP deputy chief for operations Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar ordered all police commanders in Metro Manila and other highly urbanized cities in other parts of the country to intensify their target-hardening measures. This includes using quarantine control points or checkpoints to prevent a spillover of attacks from Jolo.

The PNP has put in place at least 4,000 checkpoints across the country when the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic began in March to restrict the movement of people and prevent the virus from spreading.

Aside from checkpoints, Eleazar said routine patrol operations can also deter terrorist groups from carrying out attacks.

“These measures could be maximized by our local commanders to protect their respective areas of responsibilities against any terror threats,” Eleazar said in a statement.

Through close coordination with local government units (LGUs), Eleazar is confident that the police force can lessen or deny terror groups from carrying out more attacks.

“We urge our partners in the LGUs to join us in maintaining our vigilance and in being alert at all times against all possible threats that would compromise the safety and security of our people,” he said.

Heightened security in Metro Manila

Following the development, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) heightened its security in Metro Manila.

In a press conference yesterday morning, NCRPO chief Maj. Gen. Debold Sinas said he had already alerted the heads of various districts in the metropolis following the bombing incidents.

“We already alerted our different district offices, our people and to monitor their areas. We have also directed our intel community and intelligence (officers) to coordinate with their counterparts (in Sulu),” Sinas said in Filipino.

He added that he had ordered the district personnel to tighten their security around public places as well as vital government and private installations.

The NCRPO also heightened their shock-and-awe operations and added more K-9 dogs under its Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit.

“Before, we have only one dog per district and one for every embassy. Now, there are two dogs roaming around in each police district,” the regional director said.

These EOD units monitor establishments from morning until night.

“With these, we are preparing ourselves... We are asking for help from the public in the National Capital Region, that if they detect an unattended baggage, please report it (to authorities),” Sinas said.

He added that they are already preparing for any eventualities, in an effort to thwart any attempts on terrorism acts.

Meanwhile, Sinas bared that there would be no changes on the alert in Metro Manila, but the “strategy remains.”

“We will continue to heighten our intel monitoring. We are coordinating with the Jolo area and Region 9,” he said.

The Jolo explosions killed seven soldiers, six civilians and a policeman.

The first blast happened in Barangay Walled City, while the second blast happened about a hundred meters away.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines said both blasts were suicide bombings.

Full alert in Manila

Meanwhile, Manila Police District (MPD) director Brig. General Rolando Miranda yesterday said the police force in the city is under full alert and more than half of the personnel would be out on the streets to conduct random checkpoints a day after the Jolo twin-bombing.

“In view of the recent violent atrocities that occurred more particularly in Jolo, Sulu perpetrated by suspected suicide bomber/terrorist, you are hereby directed to institute target-hardening measures in your respective (area of responsibility),” Miranda said in his order to all station and police community commanders.

He also ordered his men to “conduct aggressive border and anti-criminality checkpoints to deter planned activities of lawless elements.”

“We are not zeroing in on any particular group of people. What we are going to do is enhance our patrol operations and initiate forward deployment of our tactical team, district Mobile Force Battallion and Special Weapons and Tactics, especially in vital installations in the city,” Miranda told The STAR.

He added that intelligence monitoring would be intensified and police response would be quick and decisive “if the need arises.”

As of 1 p.m. yesterday, elements of the MPD-Special Weapons and Tactics team and District Mobile Force Battalion were mobilized to conduct police visibility in crowded areas, particularly in Carriedo and Blumentritt. – Ralph Edwin Villanueva, Rey Galupo