Taguig police on alert for possible terror attacks

MANILA, Philippines - The Taguig police has been put on heightened alert following reports that the city especially the Fort Bonifacio area is being targeted for terrorists’ attacks.

Senior Superintendent Camilo Cascolan, Taguig police chief, immediately ordered a close watch on public places, key government offices, business establishments, and educational and religious institutions situated in the city. “Our primary concern is to keep public places and areas where people converge safe. We are fielding more security personnel and taking the proper precautions, and we urge the public to do the same,” Cascolan said.

Cascolan said that based on intelligence reports, Taguig is faced with a threat of international terrorism designed to cripple the Philippine economy, as well as the escalation of destabilization attempts being done by certain groups within the city who intend to ride on the recent spate of bombing attacks in Jakarta, Indonesia and in Mindanao that claimed a number of innocent lives and caused global outrage, and use them as their cover.

The police said the group’s real intention is to create a scenario of a breakdown in peace and order in Taguig and then take advantage of the situation to promote the military background of certain individuals who have plans of seeking a political position in the city. This group is also reportedly behind an organized black propaganda that is trying to cast the city as a crime and drug haven.

Taguig is currently the country’s emerging investment destination. Business analysts say that any untoward incident here will have a negative impact on the country and its economy. “We will not tolerate any conduct that threatens the residents of the city and we will exert all effort in stopping these threats on the city’s peace and order situation,” Cascolan added.

Taguig Mayor Sigfrido Tiñga and Cascolan yesterday met with administration and security officials of malls and banks, developers and business locators, officials of international, private and public schools, religious groups, representatives from the Bonifacio Estates Services Corp. (BESC), Justice Hall, Taguig City University, TUP, PUP and the Muslim community from Barangay Maharlika for the implementation of intensified security arrangements in their respective areas.

Tiñga encouraged the public to call the Taguig Help Hotline at 1623 or 640-2222 if they witness any suspicious activity or discover unattended packages in public areas.

“Community involvement is vital in the war against terrorism. In the long run, this collaboration between the city government and our constituents will help in building a peaceful, terror-free community,” he said.  – Rhodina Villanueva