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Monday, March 21, 2005
Police, military brace for more terror attacks (4:30 p.m.)
By Edwin G. Espejo
GENERAL SANTOS -- The local regional police command and all military units operating in Central Mindanao were ordered to go on full red alert following intelligence reports that the Abu Sayyaf are going to launch coordinated terror attacks in urban centers.
Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said the order came from President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo whose government went through a two-day prison crisis after tens of Abu Sayyaf inmates tried to bolt from their detention center at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig last week.
He said all airports in Mindanao will be placed under close and tight security and all baggage and hand carried items will be double-checked.
"We are not asking for any cooperation, just compliance and obedience. Manual ang inspection and it is mandatory," Duterte explained of the new security measures that will be employed at the General Santos City airport beginning this week.
Select and highly-trained police and military personnel will handle the security requirements at the airport in addition to the electronic devices now already in place, the Davao City mayor said.
Duterte was appointed special consultant on anti-terrorism by President Arroyo two years ago following successive bombings in Central Mindanao and Region 11.
He also confirmed reports that the Abu Sayyaf are going to launch retaliatory actions for the death of the four of its leaders in the two-day prison siege last week.
He said the "enemies of the state" are going to "exact vengeance."
He however did not single out the Abu Sayyaf and declined to elaborate any further. |
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