Manila, the country’s capital city and seat of government, is safe from domestic and international terrorism, Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada said Friday, amid fears that ISIS militants have penetrated the Philippines.
Estrada said all efforts “that could be done as humanly possible” are being exerted to protect this city of 1.7-million people.
“Manila is safe as far as I’m concerned,” Estrada pointed out in dismissing speculation over ISIS, particularly in Mindanao, which had been placed under martial law due to the ongoing siege of Marawi City led by the Muslim extremist Maute group.
Asked if he personally believes ISIS is already in the country, Estrada replied: “We don’t know yet. We are not very sure.”
“But remember, Manila is the capital city. If this incident happened in Manila just like what happened in Marawi, the Philippines will be destroyed,” he said.
This is the reason, according to Estrada, that he has ordered Manila Police District director Chief Supt. Joel Coronel to use all the city police’s assets in protecting the capital.
All security measures and contingencies, some of which the mayor said he cannot divulge for operational security, are presently being enforced throughout the city.
“That’s why we have to be careful now. Our intelligence units are really on alert now…to really go after these threats. We don’t want to get caught flatfooted,” Estrada stressed.
In April, Estrada also dismissed reports that a terrorist cell from the Maute Group was in Metro Manila to sow chaos.
This was confirmed last March by the Philippine National Police Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, following a police raid in Quezon City where an improvised explosive that would have been used for a terror attack was seized.
Home to 1,780,148 people as of 2015, Manila is the center of government and business of the Philippines and hosts Malacañan Palace, the official residence and principal workplace of the President of the republic. Estrada was the country’s 13th President.
The mayor has earlier ordered MPD to conduct security checkpoints around the vicinities of Malacañan, which he believed is one of the major targets of terrorist and lawless elements.
Coronel said police have not received any “actual and direct threat which will constitute clear and present danger to the security of Manila.”
Estrada assured the public the 4,600-strong MPD is ready to repel any terrorist attack. He noted that two months ago, the city bought P20 million worth of brand new firearms for MPD operatives to improve the city police’s firepower against armed criminals and terrorists.
Last October, the city government also bought 400 Glock 9mm semi-automatic pistols, 60 M4 carbines – a shorter and lighter variant of the M16A2 Armalite assault rifle – eight Sig Sauer sniper rifles, ammunition, and other necessary gear and equipment, also worth P20 million.