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Sunday, March 20, 2005
Cardinal Rosales: Be vigilant amid Abu bomb plot
MANILA -- Archbishop Gaudencio Rosales urged the public to be extra wary and vigilant against any terror attack on churches during Holy Week.
Archbishop Rosales issued the appeal Saturday after State Prosecutor Peter Medalle of the Department of Justice (DOJ) and National Police Chief Arturo Lomibao earlier revealed a plan by the terror group Abu Sayyaf to bomb Catholic churches and commercial establishments in Metro Manila and other urban centers to avenge the deaths of three detained Abu Sayyaf leaders after the police assaulted the Metro Manila Rehabilitation Center (MMRC) in Bicutan, Taguig, Metro Manila last Tuesday.
Everybody
Detained Abu Sayyaf members attempted to flee from the MMRC last Monday but their escape try failed so they took control of the prison.
"Everybody should be vigilant and be more cautious of suspicious individuals," said Rosales in an interview after the ordination of 12 priests at the Manila Cathedral.
"It's unfortunate that there are threats like these but it seems that they are using violence as a normal way of life and this is not proper way," he added.
No religion
Rosales said there is no religion that abets or teaches violence.
"I don't think God made us for violence," Rosales said.
On the siege of the Bicutan jail, Rosales said it is regrettable that several prisoners were killed in the police assault and that the deaths could have been prevented if government had adequate programs and facilities for prisoners.
He disagreed however with the way how the detainees expressed their grievances by taking over the MMRC.
Lomibao said Saturday that remnants of the Abu Sayyaf remain a serious threat to Metro Manila and Mindanao as the nation observes the Holy Week.
In the weekly Kapihan sa Sulo, Lomibao said the Abu Sayyaf remains a potent group as it can conduct bombings, sow terror and demoralize the populace.
"However, it is not potent in number since they are only numbering around 200 to 300," he noted.
Lomibao said the police will remain in full alert as there is news that the Abu Sayyaf will conduct attacks on populated areas.
"There is still a serious threat and we will intensify security measures throughout the country," he said.
According to Lomibao, the PNP will enhance intelligence gathering and conduct more checkpoints to ensure the safety of the public.
He, however, stressed that what is important is the vigilance of the people.
"We only have a few policemen so we would like to ask the public to remain vigilant and to report to us whatever unusual event they see," Lomibao said.
He stressed that the public should not panic and instead continue with their normal routine but with vigilance.
"We are just informing the people but they should not be overwhelmed as to what is happening," the PNP chief said. (MSN)
| 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!
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(March 20, 2005 issue)
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