|
Saturday, March 19, 2005
Police confirm plot to bomb churches, malls
MANILA -- A police official said Friday the Abu Sayyaf is indeed planning to sow terror during the Holy Week celebration by bombing Catholic churches and shopping centers in Metro Manila and other urban areas.
To meet this threat, police were placed on full alert and strict security measures implemented in public places, said National Police Chief Arturo Lomibao.
Catholic churches are also taking precautions, with the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) ordering the tightening of security in the places of worship.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said Friday that security measures being put in place nationwide were intended to thwart Abu Sayyaf terror threats during the Holy Week.
"I think security agencies are doing a very, very good job of taking care of our security," Arroyo said in a media interaction in her visit to Lamitan, Basilan.
"I do not want to micromanage when the agencies are doing very good jobs. So, I have no directives to them. They know what to do," she said.
A possible target of Abu Sayyaf terrorists was Baguio City, said Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales Sr.
This possibility, according to Gonzales, was raised during National Security Council (NSC) meetings in light of Baguio being a popular summer destination for local and foreign tourists.
On the alleged Abu Sayyaf plot to carry out bombings in churches, Gonzales said the information was "very raw".
During the Holy Week celebration starting this Sunday, Catholic churches will be packed with people doing the traditional Visita Iglesia and attending Lenten rites.
State Prosecutor Peter Medalle of the Department of Justice (DOJ) first raised the alert about the bomb plots, citing information from an informant who knows of the Abu Sayyaf's activities.
Medalle said the bombing missions had been planned long before the failed jailbreak and takeover by detained Abu Sayyaf leaders and members of the Metro Manila Rehabilitation Center (MMRC) in Bicutan, Taguig, Metro Manila.
Twenty-three people, including three ranking Abu Sayyaf leaders and a policeman, were killed in the assault on the MMRC. In the takeover of the jail, three jail guards and two detainees were killed.
Medalle said the deaths of the Abu Sayyaf leaders reportedly hastened the timetable for the bombings.
Lomibao said Catholic churches are not the only bombing targets of the Abu Sayyaf but also shopping malls.
Lomibao said Gamal Baharan alias Boy Negro, who supplied the explosive used to bomb a passenger bus that killed four people and wounded 105 others last February 14, revealed that five Abu Sayyaf members were ordered to bomb shopping malls in Metro Manila, particularly in the dry goods section where fire can easily spread.
Lomibao appealed to the public to remain calm but vigilant.
Cartographic sketches of wanted Abu Sayyaf members will be posted in public areas, he added.
Lomibao vowed there will be no persecution or unwarranted arrests of Muslims as the police crack down on suspected Abu Sayyaf members roaming the country.
On the threat to bomb churches, Monsignor Hernando Coronel, secretary-general and spokesman of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), said they have beefed up security and assigned additional staffers to check out suspicious-looking people who may attempt to sow terror in churches.
He said in the Manila Cathedral alone, additional guards were employed to ensure the safety of parishioners.
Aside from additional security personnel, the cathedral will only have one entry and one exit for the churchgoers to prevent any terrorists from carrying out their devious plan.
Despite a threat to bomb churches, Coronel said it should not stop Catholics from attending Church activities on Holy Week.
"Take proper precaution just to be on the safe side," he said adding that instead of worrying about threat, Catholics should focus on Jesus Christ's passion, his death and resurrection.
"Let us also pray for peace and reconciliation in the country," he added.
Dagupan-Lingayen Archbishop Oscar Cruz appealed for sobriety and peace among supporters of the killed Abu Sayyaf leaders.
"My appeal is not only to the Abu Sayaff but to all those people who will play with the lives of others to think twice," Cruz said.
He said causing chaos will only cause more damage to the country's investment image. "If the lives of people will be wasted and properties are destroyed, the ones who will ultimately suffer will be us also," Cruz added.
Arroyo's spokesman Ignacio Bunye said "there is no reason for the public to be alarmed" because security measures are in place and law enforcers are continuously working with local government leaders down to the barangay level.
"Having learned enough lessons from recent terror attacks, we are confident the terrorists will find it more difficult to break through the collective security shield. This protective shield can be strengthened through citizens' vigilance and alertness," Bunye said. (Sunnex Luzon/MSN/RB/BBP)
| Post your experiences to the Sun.Star Graduation section. Click here. | 2005-02-24 04:52:02
mcalvo - My graduation was unforgettable to me and to my classmates. I was so drunk the night before graduation. During the ceremony i dozed to the point of snooring even when i was already standing i was half sleeping. Our dean has to call my name twice and the person behind me has to push me just to wake me up... graduations are memorable...enjoy and congratulations to all graduates!
Read more experiences |
(March 19, 2005 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
|
|
|
[return to top]
[home]
|
|
