0.0 EYES TIGHT WATCH AT PORTS

The Philippine National Police (PNP) is eyeing stricter security measures in various ports in Metro Manila and other provinces that have direct access to the metropolis.

This, as the police earlier announced that an ISIS-inspired terror group based in Central Mindanao has already established presence in Metro Manila following the arrest of one of its members allegedly tasked to carry out bomb attacks in Metro Manila.

“We will take precautionary measures to ensure the security of the public not just only in Metro Manila but also in other places,” said Senior Supt. Dionardo Carlos, PNP spokesman.

Carlos made the statement in reference to the foiled US Embassy bomb attack last year wherein the improvised explosive device was brought from Mindanao to Metro Manila.

Focus, he said, will be given on the so-called nautical highway or RORO (Roll-on, Roll-off) which was used as the access of the suspected bombers in hiding the bomb inside a car that was boarded in either Visayas or Mindanao and alighted in a port in Luzon.

He said there maybe additional deployment of policemen in various ports in order to maximize the inspection and security measures of people and vehicles arriving in Manila or Luzon ports.

While he admitted that the PNP is lacking personnel to guard the entire population, he said special concerns and deployment are being done in some areas where threats are present.

“If there is such group, we take the necessary security deployment to preempt a breach of security targeting our community,” said Carlos.

Carlos also clarified that there is no contrasting intelligence reports on the presence of the Maute terror group with that of the military which earlier contradicted the statement of the police.

He said that what the PNP has is a result of the continuing investigation and monitoring after the foiled US Embassy attack last year.

“Ours is a result of an investigation, they (military) are saying that based on their monitoring,” said Carlos.

But he said there is a continuing coordination between the police and the military regarding the presence of terror cell in Metro Manila.