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Friday, March 29, 2024

Estrada promises Ramadan security

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Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada has ordered the city police to put in place “foolproof” security arrangements at the Muslim community in Quiapo as the holy month of Ramadan begins later this month.

With the earlier explosions of three improvised bombs in Quiapo in mind, which he himself said was some sort of “a religious war among the Muslims”, Estrada tasked the Manila Police District to further increase security at the Quiapo Golden Mosque and other Islamic cultural centers across the city.

“We will be implementing foolproof security arrangements to prevent a repeat of such incidents,” Estrada said, referring to the April 28 and May 6 explosions that killed two people and injured 20 more.

“With the assistance of our Muslim community and religious leaders, the public is assured of security during Ramadan, particularly our Muslim brothers and sisters,” the Manila mayor pointed out.

Police investigators believe the May 6 twin explosions targeted a Shiite Muslim cleric identified as Nasser Abinal, who also works as tax officer of the Bureau of Internal Revenue.

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The bomb was carried in a package by a hired delivery man, who handed it over to an aide of Abinal just before it went off, killing them both.

MPD director Chief Supt. Joel Coronel said 425 policemen will be deployed throughout the city with the biggest concentration in Quiapo and the Islamic Center.

Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada

“We are assuring the Muslim communities in Manila that the MPD will be present at the ground to secure the observance of Ramadan,” Coronel said. “We will see to it na peaceful and orderly ang observance ng Ramadan.”

Special checkpoints, Coronel said, will also be established to avoid any untoward incidents. Foot and mobile patrols will also be intensified throughout the one-month observance of the Muslim religious event.

While there is no history of a significant escalation of attacks by Islamist militants in the Philippines during Ramadan, especially in the capital, Coronel said they are closely working with various national government intelligence agencies to preempt such threats, if there are any.

“So far, we have not received any threats regarding possible incidents of similar nature,” the MPD chief stressed.

During a consultative meeting at the City Hall last Tuesday, Estrada and the Muslim community and religious leaders at the Islamic Center have pledged to implement joint measures to suppress criminality in Quiapo, including illegal drugs.

He told the Muslim leaders that he will go hard on criminals that threaten to destabilize peace and order in Quiapo, particularly at the Islamic Center, but assured the rights of every Muslim citizen will be respected, especially during legitimate police operations.

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