QC draws up security plan, eyes peace zones

The Quezon City government is eyeing the creation of "peace zones" that will have active involvement from citizens and religious leaders, including the ulamahs in Muslim communities for monitoring suspicious movements, activities and presence of outsiders in the area.

The local government began drafting yesterday an action plan, including the creation of peace zones, in connection with President Arroyo’s directive for the mayor’s to take the lead in securing their area of jurisdiction in the metropolis.

A Quezon City official, who asked not to be named, told The Star that several agencies have prepared a two-level security plan for the city hall compound as well as the entire city.

The official said the security measures will be consolidated before being submitted to Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte tomorrow for approval and implementation. The meeting was attended by heads and the representatives of the Quezon City Hall Department of Public Order and Safety (DPOS), police detachments, General Service Office (GSO), Engineering, Parks Development, Office of the Mayor’s consultants, Barangay Operation Center and resource persons from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

Under the plan, strict measures for vehicles entering the city hall premises will be implemented.

Security guards in blue uniforms will be assigned at every floor to inspect belongings including those of employees.

The official said janitors and maintenance personnel have also been undergoing seminars on security measures and explosives.

The local government also focused on the security of malls, business establishments, commercial centers, media entities and government agencies in the city, which could be targets of terror attacks.

"We don’t intend to generate false hope but the active participation of the people and the community will greatly help in ensuring the security," the official said.