Policewomen vs female bombers

Just in case terrorist groups start deploying female suicide bombers, policewomen in Metro Manila will be ready for them.

Metro police chief Director Vidal Querol said yesterday female police inspectors in uniform will be deployed to various public places in the metropolis to thwart possible terrorist attacks.

Querol said assigning policewomen to vital installations and other establishments was in response to intelligence reports that female suicide bombers have been ordered to carry out attacks in Metro Manila.

"Female officers can frisk women without any malice and not feel awkward during the body and bag searches. It has been observed policemen are often lax and lenient when it came to frisking women who enter malls," Querol said.

He said the potential targets include malls, bus terminals, churches and train stations.

The preemptive measure was implemented by the Philippine National Police (PNP) following intelligence reports that two operatives of the Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) terror network are already in Metro Manila to launch possible attacks.

The suicide bombing in Bali, Indonesia last Saturday night left 30 people dead and more than a hundred wounded.

In a related development, the anti-terror unit of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) will meet its foreign counterparts today to strengthen regional cooperation following the attack in Bali.

"This is a coordination meeting. We will be exchanging information regarding terrorist activities in the region and map out our preventive program of action," Querol said.

The Metro police chief said Senior Superintendent Federico Laciste Jr., head of the NCRPO’s anti-terrorist group, would preside over the meeting, which is expected to be attended by representatives from the embassies of the US, UK, New Zealand, Indonesia and other Southeast Asian nations.

"The meeting indicates our serious concern over the threat of terrorism," Querol said.

The second Bali bomb attack has prompted strengthened security for countries in the region, including the Philippines, where the principal suspects had reportedly trained.

Querol said participants would update each other on threats and terror activities to formulate coordination programs, which may help lead to the arrest of suspects before they strike.

The NCRPO chief created the ATG to deal with terror threats not only in Metro Manila, but in other parts of the country.

"The threat of terrorism is everywhere. That is why we are enlisting the help of every peace-minded Filipino to cooperate in the effort to prevent the terrorists from making our country their training ground," he said. — With Non Alquitran