PHILIPPINE National Police Chief Ronaldo Dela Rosa said the perpetrators of Friday’s deadly attack at a night market in Davao City might launch another attack, but said that all major cities were prepared for any eventuality.
Dela Rosa said they expect the terrorists responsible for the blast in President Rodrigo Duterte’s hometown were waiting for a chance to pull off another assault.
“Because of the incident in Davao, all major cities must be prepared. We don’t want to be panicky, [but] it is better to be sure because we have an ongoing operation [against the Abu Sayyaf],” Dela Rosa said.
Heightened alert. Coast guards patrol Manila Bay on Sunday Sept. 4, 2016, after a heightened security has been enforced nationwide following the bomb explosion that killed 15 people at a night market in Davao City on Friday. Danny Pata
At least 10 people died on the spot when a powerful homemade bomb ripped through several tents full of people at a night market on Roxas Avenue at 10:30 p.m. Friday. Four other blast victims died in the hospitals after sustaining shrapnel wounds. Some 67 others were wounded.
On Saturday night, President Duterte called a command conference in Davao City attended by top security officials, including Dela Rosa.
Although no specifics were provided, Dela Rosa said the meeting considered how groups such as the Abu Sayyaf or drug syndicates might be seeking a way to ease the government pressure against them.
In a briefing after meeting top police officials in Davao region, Dela Rosa said the perpetrators of the night market attack may hit other major cities.
“They are able to do it here in Davao, why not in other cities?” he said.
He said he suspected the ASG was behind the attack in an attempt to divert the government’s attention from relentless military operations in Sulu against the bandits.
Investigators have yet to come out their findings.
In Manila, Mayor Joseph Estrada said he released P200 million to help the city’s 896 barangays deal with possible terrorist attacks.
Estrada personally distributed the funds to 56 barangay chairmen, the latest batch of barangays to receive their annual budget allocation from the city government.
“Terrorism is again rearing its ugly head so we should be prepared at all times. In any emergency, it is the barangay that will be the first one to rescue the residents. That is why they need to be fully equipped and funded,” Estrada said.
Only last month, Estrada distributed P20 million worth of checks to 50 barangay chairmen to boost their capabilities to fight drugs and crime.
Estrada also put the entire city’s police force and all emergency and security units on full alert.
Estrada directed Manila Police District Director Joel Coronel to tighten security around the capital city and the national government’s seat of power in Malacanang, as he condoled with the families of the 14 people killed in the explosion.
“Here in Manila, we have doubled our security and contingency measures to protect the safety of our constituents,” Estrada said.
“To the thousands of Manileños, remain calm but be vigilant at all times,” he added.
The Palace also called on the public to be vigilant and united against terrorists.
“Let us be vigilant and be united. We must not yield to the terrorists, we must not allow [ourselves] to be defeated. And we must cooperate with our authorities,” said Communications Secretary Martin Andanar.
“Let’s practice our civic responsibilities as responsible citizens to ensure that our country moves forward progressively. And the best way to counter all of these terror acts is to help each other, be a neighborhood watch,” said Andanar.
