MPD on heightened alert vs ‘September Storm’ bombers

The Manila Police District (MPD) is now on heightened alert following intelligence reports that two explosive experts from an al Qaeda-linked group have arrived in Metro Manila to conduct bombings on the fifth anniversary of the 9-ll attacks in the US.

The attack, dubbed "September Storm," targets vital installations in Metro Manila, including the US Embassy, the oil depot in Pandacan, the LRT and MRT stations, malls and other crowded places.

According to intelligence reports, two bomb experts from the Rajah Solaiman Movement (RSM) are now hiding in the metropolis, preparing to carry out the attacks.

"We are prepared to protect our people from these terrorists. I have deployed a sufficient number of policemen to Manila’s vital installations and crowded places. They are on alert against the saboteurs. I am optimistic that we can pass this critical ‘September Storm’ without destruction and casualties," Manila Police District (MPD) officer-in-charge Senior Superintendent Danilo Abarzosa told The STAR.

The MPD also tapped leaders and imams of Muslim communities to monitor their members so that their ranks "will never be infiltrated by terrorists."

"As far as our monitoring is concerned we have documented every Muslim resident in Metro Manila and we have no information that personalities with questionable backgrounds have infiltrated the ranks of the peace-loving Muslims," according to Mohammad Tanggote, director of the Office of Muslim Affairs for Metro Manila.

According to Sultan Sohaly Tanandato, president of the Union of Muslim Religious Leaders (NCR Federation), Muslims in Metro Manila congregate in more than 100 mosques for their prayer rituals every Friday and are familiar with each other. "There is no way a new face can mingle with them for they can recognize their usual companions," Tanandato said.

The group said it will personally apprehend any stranger within their congregation and bring it to police for character verification.

As this developed, Abarzosa cancelled all leaves of Manila policemen due to the heightened alert.

Meanwhile, Abarzosa clarified that instead of setting up a police community precinct, he has reactivated the police component of the Office of the Muslim Affairs in Manila to be headed by Salam officer Superintendent Frumencio Bernal.

The MPD’s OMA, which will hold office beside the Golden Mosque in Quiapo, shall exclusively handle complaints and cases involving Muslims.

The present Barbosa police community precinct shall remain the MPD’s police arm in that part of Quiapo.