Metro cops brace for February 14 bombing anniversary

MANILA, Philippines - The National Capital Regional Police Office (NCRPO) has increased security measures to prevent a repeat of the Valentine’s Day three-city bombing spree in 2005.

NCRPO chief Director Leopoldo Bataoil has ordered district directors and city and municipal police chiefs to directly supervise implementation of public safety and security operations of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to prevent people from falling victims to crime groups.

“The conduct of intensified police operations is intended to prevent the repeat of the bombing incident on Valentine’s Day of 2005 in Makati City that left 3 people dead and 60 others wounded,” Bataoil said.

The bombing spree also left five dead and 90 others wounded in the cities of Davao and General Santos.

Bataoil ordered his commanders to put up more checkpoints and chokepoints to prevent the movement of criminals.

He said more policemen have been deployed at bus terminals and railway stations.

“I have directed my commanders down to the station level to enhance the PNP’s Barangay Intelligence Networks as backbone for close intelligence monitoring and for intelligence-driven internal security operations to check the activities of various threat groups like the Abu Sayyaf Group and the New People’s Army, and to deny them the opportunity to take advantage of the occasion,” Bataoil said.

Bataoil also ordered his local commanders to closely coordinate with mall managers and security personnel of other business establishments where people are expected to converge on weekend for Valentine’s Day.

Bataoil said the NCRPO, through the use of surveillance cameras, will closely monitor crime-prone areas in Metro Manila.         – Cecille Suerte Felipe