Red alert at Pandacan oil depot?

Terror threat or training exercise?

Combined operatives of the Western Police District and the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) were deployed around the vicinity of the Pandacan oil depot the other night following intelligence reports that the facility was being targeted for attacks by terrorists.

However, police officials denied yesterday there was a threat to bomb the depot, saying the presence of a few cops was just part of an anti-terror exercise.

Intelligence sources at the WPD told The STAR that the entire Manila police force was placed on red alert beginning last night after receiving classified information that "enemies of the State were planning to bomb the Pandacan oil depot facilities to foment widespread chaos."

However, the same source refused to say which group might be responsible for the planned bombing attack. Police and military authorities are currently monitoring the activities of remnants of mutinous soldiers, as well as the terrorist groups.

Policemen from the support group of the NCRPO augmented the Manila police force last night and were deployed at all entry and exit points around the vicinity of the Pandacan oil depot, the source said.

Checkpoints were immediately set up along strategic points in Pandacan, with vehicles and persons coming and going out of the Pandacan area being closely checked.

The Pandacan oil depot is the repository of gasoline and oil products of the country’s major oil companies.

The depot, which is situated in the center of a residential area in Pandacan, is located within the Pasig River and just a few kilometers away from the Malacañang Palace.

The contingent of police force guarding the depot will remain in the area until the threat has abated, according to the source.

In an interview, WPD spokesman Chief Inspector Gerry Agunod said the movement of units was just a part of an exercise.

"We have been on alert for quiet some time now following terrorist attacks in Zamboanga and other parts of the world," he said.

When The STAR visited the oil depot in Pandacan, security guards said there were about five policemen deployed at the entrance of Petron and Caltex oil terminals.

"The five were apart from other five policemen who have been detailed at the depot for about two years now," a security guard said.

"Kung may pasasabugin dito, dapat isang buong battalion ang ipapadala," the guard said.

Another intelligence officer also said the deployment was part of exercises in anticipation of the terrorist threats. – With Cecille Suerte Felipe