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Saturday, September 09, 2006
High terror alert raised in Mindanao
THE intelligence community on Friday raised the terrorism alert level in Metro Manila to "moderate" and in major urban centers in Mindanao to "high" in preparation for the fifth anniversary of the September 11 terror attacks on the US in 2001.
Ma. Victoria Pineda, executive director of the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (Nica), said a "moderate" terrorist threat level means " terrorist attack is possible, but not likely" because the "intent (to stage an attack) is present but the capability is now monitored."
Pineda said a "high" threat level means "a terrorist attack is a strong possibility within a short period of time". Under such an alert level, both intent and capability to monitor a terrorist attack is monitored.
She said the heightened terrorist threat levels were arrived at after a series of discussions, assessment and evaluation of available information.
Pineda said the intelligence community also saw it fit to come up with a four-tiered terrorism threat level in view of developments on terrorism both on the domestic and international scene. She said the threat levels developed are in sync with existing alert levels to prevent and avoid any confusion and misunderstanding.
The threat levels are low, moderate, high and extreme. "Low" means there is "no monitored intent and capability" to stage an imminent terrorist attack in Metro Manila and other major political and economic centers.
"Extreme" means "both intent and capability are monitored with imminent timeline." This highest level is further divided into two categories: "Severe" (a terrorist attack is highly likely); and "Critical" (an attack has just occurred or has just been pre-empted and follow-on attacks are expected).
A task force has been organized to examine the threat levels at all angles and to conduct a monthly assessment.
National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales said Metro Manila used to be under "high" alert but it was lowered because of the pre-emptive actions by the PNP and the Armed Forces such as the offensives in Jolo, Sulu.
"We uncovered their training ground and the materials that they can use in other parts of the country that we have confiscated. We have done other preemptive action in Metro Manila and other cities of Mindanao like Cotabato," Gonzales said.
He said the fact that there is no anti-terrorism law yet makes the job of the national security group harder but they are doing their best.
"We have to accept that terrorism will stay with us for a long time. Not only us, this is being experienced around the world. We are assuming that terrorism here to stay," he said.
Gonzales said the security group is still investigating the alleged Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) security breach by alleged anti-terrorism expert Samson Macariola. He said dealing with Macariola would be the job of "the other Gonzalez", referring to Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez Sr.
The PNP, meanwhile, said the explosion in General Santos City Thursday night was not terrorism-related. Police said they are looking at business rivalry as the possible motive of the grenade-throwing incident. (JMR/Sunnex)
(September 9, 2006 issue)
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