Wednesday, October 11, 2006 Police, private groups form anti-terrorism body
TOP police officials and the private sector signed recently a memorandum of agreement (MOA) that seeks to organize a counter-terrorism group.
It is called the Civil Security Group (CSG) Counter Terrorism Task Force (CTTF).
The MOA was signed by CSG Director Gen. Leonardo Dionisio, Police Regional Office 7 Chief Gen. Silverio Alarcio, Philippine Assocation of Detective and Protective Agency Operators 7 president Leopoldo Blanco Jr. and Maj. Gen. Victor Garcia, president of the Association of Mall Security Officers in Cebu.
Management
Under the MOA, the CTTF will plan courses of action to prevent terrorism and for consequence management, as well as to contribute resources when necessary and work for the general protection of communities and organizations against the consequences of terrorism.
Alarcio said the police welcomed the initiative of the private sector to help the government in the fight against terrorism especially that Cebu is hosting the 12th Assocation of Southeast Asian Nations summit this December.
He said the creation of the CTTF is timely since 30,000 security guards in the region could be utilized as informants, while about 1,500 security guards will help secure ceremonial routes of summit participants and guests.
Alert
Dionisio said the guards have already been trained to detect explosives and what to do in case of a crisis.
The fact that they have to be alert in protecting vital installations is already a big help to the police, Dionisio added.
The other signatories of the MOA were the Philippine Association of Recognized Security Training Schools Inc. 7, Assocation of Firearms and Ammunition Dealers 7, Philippine Association of Industrial Explosives 7 and the Philippine Pyrotechnic Manufacturers and Dealers Association Inc. 7.
