Blast prompts ‘full red alert’ in Pangasinan

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan — A grenade explosion in an ice plant in Alaminos town at dawn Tuesday has prompted the entire provincial police to go on "full red alert."

The security alert involves close monitoring of two power plants, beach resorts and shopping malls in the province.

Senior Superintendent Mario Sandiego, provincial police director, told The STAR he has ordered the Regional Mobile Group, Provincial Mobile Group and the police units of San Manuel and San Nicolas towns where the San Manuel multipurpose dam project is located, to beef up their security measures.

He said he issued the same order to lawmen securing the coal-fired power plant in Sual town.

The grenade blast in the Alaminos ice plant, the second incident since last October, was believed to be the handiwork of extortionists demanding P1.5 million from plant owner Samuel Cu.

Sandiego, however, said they are still digging deeper into the incident, while fully securing Alaminos, a prime tourist destination which also hosts the world-famous Hundred Islands National Park.

No one was reported injured in the grenade blast.

Superintendent Noli Taliño, director of the Provincial Mobile Group based in Alaminos, said the local police chief requested for augmentation personnel the other day.

A police contingent is also helping secure the power plant operated by Mirant Philippines, Taliño said.

Meanwhile, Sandiego said they are carrying out Oplan Semana Santa by maximizing police visibility and putting up police and motorist assistance centers.

Police also help manage traffic along the Maharlika Highway, particularly in the towns of Rosales, Villasis, Urdaneta and Binalonan.

Also in place is Oplan SumVac (Summer Vacation) ’05 with the help of civic and non-government groups. Anyone who want to seek police help can call (075) 542-7185 or 542-6037.