Zambo cops on full alert for possible threat by Misuari supporters

ZAMBOANGA CITY , Philippines   â€“ The Philippine National Police (PNP) has deployed additional forces in this city in preparation for possible retaliatory threats from rebel forces sympathetic to fugitive Moro National Liberation Front leader Nur Misuari, an official said yesterday.

Chief Superintendent Juanito Vaño, Police Regional Office 9 (PRO) director, said the deployment is part of their security plan to address a possible threat.

Police officers from the Regional Public Safety Battalion (RPSB) and those from the neighboring provinces in the Zamboanga peninsula were re-deployed in many strategic locations in this city.

“Zamboanga City can no longer take another one (attack),” Vaño said when asked by newsmen about any present threat from the rebel group under Misuari.

There has been talk that Misuari’s supporters plan to rescue detained MNLF rebels who participated in the bloody siege here in September. Vaño, however, said they have not received this kind of information but are seriously considering the threat.

He said no policeman deployed here would observe the rotational break during the New Year celebration. â€œAll PNP personnel shall be all on the street and we are on full alert,” he said.

Task Force Zamboanga also doubled its security troops to complement the presence of the police forces, according to its commander Col. Andrelino Colina.

Both police and military officials said security forces would be deployed in vital installations and public places of convergence.