Senators on Saturday condemned the previous night’s bomb attack in Davao City where 14 people were killed and 67 others were wounded, and urged Filipinos to rally behind the country’s leaders.
The attack targeted the Roxas night market near Ateneo de Davao University.
To prevent similar attacks, Metro Manila is on full alert and police are coordinating with the Armed Forces and other law enforcement agencies to map out security measures in strategic areas in Metro Manila.
Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada likewise placed the entire city police force and all emergency and security units on full alert.
The National Police-Aviation Security Group (Avsegroup) is taking maximum security measures in all airports nationwide following Friday’s explosion in Davao City, and Manila International Airport Authority general manager Eddie Villanueva Monreal said the Ninoy Aquino International Airport has also been placed in full alert.
Over in the South, Northern Mindanao police are on red alert as well.
All concerned authorities advised the public to remain calm and vigilant and to report suspicious persons and packages.
Chief Supt. Oscar Albayalde, director of the National Capital Region Police Office, declared full alert status in the metropolis and ordered all five district directors and station commanders to tighten security in their area of responsibility.
“All district directors are ordered to set up checkpoints where deemed necessary and maximize security and presence in all vital installations, malls, churches, MRTs and LRTs and all places of convergence. Additionally, all DDs are ordered to account all personnel,” said Albayalde.
He also instructed all police community precinct heads to be vigilant, check and validate all activities in all units and double police visibilities in their areas.
Albayalde said checkpoints and Oplan Sita are in force on routes leading to Ninoy Aquino International Airports and seaports.
“Help us also make the public understand that we are stepping up security measures for everyone’s safety. All community activities remain normal, we will not allow lawless elements to derail our path towards peace. It will still be a weekend for families,” said NCRPO spokesperson Kimberly Molitas.
Estrada directed Manila Police District Director Joel Coronel to tighten security around the capital city, the national government’s seat of power in Malacañang, as he condoled with the families of the 14 people killed in the explosion.
He said the 4,500-strong MPD will implement more stringent security measures and a 24-hour tight watch on public places in Manila, such as stations of LRT Line 1, hospitals, schools, shopping malls, marketplaces, bus terminals, ports and places of worship.
Estrada said the Davao blast reminded him of the so-called Rizal Day bombings on December 30, 2000, where five bombs were simultaneously set off around Metro Manila, one of which exploded at Plaza Ferguson in Malate and another on an LRT coach at the Blumentritt station in Manila, which claimed the most fatalities of at least 22 people.
Estrada was the President when the terrorist attacks were carried out by suspected Muslim extremists. Nine months earlier, he had declared an all-out war against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front following alleged attacks in Lanao del Norte, Zamboanga del Norte, and Cagayan de Oro City, which killed 36 civilians.
Meanwhile, “we declared full alert status nationwide in view of the incident in Davao. Maximum security measures in all airports are expected, so we appeal to the public to cooperate with our security forces to ensure their smooth and safe travel,” Avsegroup director Mao Aplasca told Manila Standard.
For his part, MIAA manager Monreal said “we have directed baggage screeners to remain vigilant and discerning and to conduct thorough inspection only when the need calls for it. We do not want to cause inconvenience by creating long lines at the baggage screening checkpoints.”
Monreal also imposed a no day-off and leave of absence policy on all personnel of the Airport Police Department, as a matter of procedure during full alert status.
He further advised airport stakeholders and passengers not to be alarmed by increased police visibility within the terminal buildings and outer vicinities of the country’s premier international airport.
“Our K9 units will also be a common sight in the complex in this situation,” the airport chief added.
Security men at checkpoints shall conduct random inspections on motor vehicles and the public is advised to oblige for their own protection while issuance of access for the purpose of meeting or sending off passengers has also been limited.
“Depending on intelligence reports, we may completely suspend issuance of visitor passes for everyone’s safety,” Monreal said.
“Together with the PNP-Avsegroup, we appeal to everyone to bear with us during this time,” he said.
Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel condemned “in the strongest possible terms the dastardly and cowardly attack last night against the peace-loving people of Davao City.”
Pimentel said there was “no excuse” to hurt and kill civilians enjoying a night out. “My prayers are with the victims of the terrorist attack and their families,” he added, vowing that the Senate will help the survivors obtain justice.
Senator Gregorio Honasan II called for the cooperation of all sectors, coordination of the police and military with local governments, and political unity among officials while keeping eternal vigilance.
“Let us all pray for our safety and everyone should rally under our flag and behind our national and local leaders,” Honasan said.
Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito, meanwhile, reprimanded netizens who mocked President Rodrigo Duterte for repeatedly standing by his claim that Davao is a safe city.
“This is not the time to mock the President but rather during tragedies like this, we should rally behind him,” he added.
Senator Paolo Benigno Aquino IV said that alongside uncovering the cause of the attacks, victims and their families should be extended the necessary aid.
“This act of terrorism is unacceptable. We must bring to justice those responsible for the killing of innocent people and ensure that similar barbaric acts will not happen in the future,” Aquino said.
Senator Francis Pangilinan also offered prayers for the victims and their families and asked police and other authorities to assure that those responsible for the attacks will be held accountable.
“We urge our law enforcers to get to the bottom of this cowardly act of terrorism and ensure that those responsible are held to account,” Pangilinan said.
The Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Lanao Regional Police spokesman Supt. Surki Sereñas said the police are being deployed in checkpoints set up across northern Mindanao.
“The public is advised to remain calm but extra vigilant about suspicious persons and packages. The police and armed forces authorities are taking various measures to tighten security and ensure public safety within the region,” police regional director Chief Supt. Noel Constantino said.
In a memo directive, Constantino said that “to preclude the occurrence of the Davao City incident in our area of responsibility, all units are directed to intensify intelligence monitoring, implement target hardening measures, conduct strong checkpoints in constant coordination with the Armed Forces and other government agencies.”
Sereñas revealed that they have yet to receive specific directives from the national headquarters regarding the state of lawlessness and violence.
“In the meantime, we will continue to perform our duties and ensure that the chances of terror attacks within Northern Mindanao will be reduced to nil,” the spokesman added.
Col. Jesse Alvarez, officer-in-charge of the 4th Infantry Division, said “we condole with the victims of this very unfortunate bombing incident. The AFP, particularly the 4th Infantry Division in close coordination with the PNP and other Law Enforcement Agencies, have stepped up its monitoring in the area,” Alvarez said.
“We assure everyone that we are ready for any eventuality and prepared to undertake orders that will be issued to us in regards to the declaration of “state of lawless violence” by the Commander-in-Chief,” he added.
Alvarez also called for sobriety and for the people to stay calm and refrain from any speculations so as not to aggravate the situation. With PNA
