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Sunday, March 20, 2005
Alert level raised from orange to red
By Ben O. Tesiorna and Aurea A. Gerundio
* Severe risk increases as Christians celebrate Holy Week
MAYOR Rodrigo Duterte upgraded Saturday the alert level in the city from orange alert to red as Christians celebrate the Holy Week.
In a text message, Duterte's aide, Bong Go, said "the mayor has ordered that the level of alert in the city be raised to red" due to a severe risk of attack on government facilities, public utilities and places where people converge.
The City Government advised everyone to take precautions and to remain calm and alert.
"Please report any suspicious activity or persons to 911 or the police. Listen to radio and television for updates or instructions and avoid unnecessary stay in crowded places," Go said.
Red is the highest of the five-color terror alert scale. In the scale from highest to lowest, orange follows red, then yellow, blue and green.
Green means a low risk of terrorist attack. Blue is a general risk, and agencies are asked to review and update emergency response procedures.
Yellow is an "elevated condition," meaning there is a significant risk of attack. Increased surveillance of critical locations and implementing some emergency response plans are called for.
An orange alert level calls for coordination of security efforts between the military and police and additional precautions in public events.
Duterte had raised the level of alert in the city from yellow to orange days after the bombing incident near the Davao City Overland Transport Terminal on
Valentine's Day killing one child and wounding seven people.
This time, the red alert has been raised after the incident at Camp Bagong Diwa jail in Bicutan, Taguig, where 23 suspected Abu Sayaff Group (ASG) members were killed by the police in an attempt to escape Tuesday.
As the level of alert in the city is raised to red, Duterte warned everyone to take precautionary measures, remain calm and alert. As much as possible, he said, people must avoid unnecessary stay in crowded places.
Colonel Eduardo del Rosario, Task Force Davao chief, meanwhile said that they are closely monitoring the situation in the city but said that no additional forces are needed to secure the city from any possible terrorist attack.
Davao City Police Office Director Conrado Laza meanwhile said that the police had long been on the full alert status even before the Valentines Day bombing at the Davao City Overland Transport Terminal.
"Yung upgrade kasi from orange to red is para sa mga civilian yun. Kami sa police matagal na kaming nasa red alert. May mga tao kaming on standby palagi and ready to be deployed at any given time," Senior Superintendent Laza said.
Duterte earlier admitted that the threat to the city's security is clear and present thus, his order for stricter inspections at airport, seaports and bus terminals.
"To those who want to fly, go to the airport two hours before your flight. We have agreed with the police and the military to be extra strict with the inspection. There will be three inspections at the airport," Duterte said.
Aside from the inspection at the airport's gate and the electronic inspection of baggage while entering the airport terminal manual inspection will be required.
"I will be talking with airline officials regarding the plan. Kahit dadaan sa electronic inspection, baggages must be opened pa rin for inspection," Duterte said.
Duterte said there would also be inspection before passengers board the plane.
Duterte also advised passengers to avoid placing valuable things such as money and jewelry inside luggages as these will have to be open for manual inspection.
Duterte said those who cannot submit themselves and their things to for the series of inspections will not be allowed to board the plane.
"I am not asking for cooperation. I want obedience and compliance of the public. We just want to prove what the people expect the government to do to protect them. Kung may reklamo, huwag kang sumakay," Duterte said.
For Bisaya stories from Davao. Click here. (March 20, 2005 issue)
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