spot_img
29 C
Philippines
Thursday, March 28, 2024

Cops told: Harden terror targets in Quiapo

- Advertisement -

MANILA Mayor Joseph Estrada has ordered police to maintain tight security in Quiapo, the site of a series of bomb blasts in late April and early May, with emphasis on protecting Quiapo Church and the Golden Mosque.

Estrada said he believed that the three explosions in Quiapo were caused by “a religious war among the Muslims” in contrast to persistent rumors that terrorist groups orchestrated the attacks.

“There’s petty rivalry among them, Muslim versus Muslim, a misunderstanding,” Estrada said.

Manila Police District Director Chief Supt. Joel Coronel confirmed he received orders from Estrada Thursday afternoon not to relax security measures in and around Quiapo Church, the Golden Mosque and all places of worship.

Mosque in Quiapo (AFP Photo)

Estrada received a security briefing about the Quiapo blasts from Coronel, who had spoken to Presidential Adviser on OFW and Muslim Concerns Abdullah Mamao and several Muslim elders at the Islamic Center late Thursday afternoon.    

- Advertisement -

Mamao had asked the Muslim leaders to support the government in fighting criminality and maintaining peace and order in their community, Coronel said.

“In response, the Muslim elders have expressed willingness to closely cooperate with the local government and the police,” Coronel said. “They are willing to help.”

In the initial discussions, the MPD chief said all parties agreed to draft a plan of action with the end view of preventing a repeat of the incident and preserving peace and order in Quiapo.

“We agreed on a system of info sharing and at the same time they would provide us assistance when we conduct police operations in their community,” Coronel said.

The police, on the other hand, will take extra precautions not to inconvenience residents when they do their work at the Islamic Center.

The agreement is expected to be finalized Tuesday, at a meeting led by Estrada in city hall.

The last time police conducted a major operation at the Filipino-Islamic community in Quiapo was on Oct. 7, 2016, where seven drug suspects were slain in a anti-drug drive. Over 200 other suspects were arrested in the operation.

Among those killed was then incumbent Barangay 648 Chairman Faiz Macabato who fought it out with policemen who were about to serve an arrest warrant to his drug suspect-brother.

Muslim religious leaders also known as “ulamas” can help prevent the Islamic State from settling in Mindanao, Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesman Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said Sunday.

Earlier, community leaders in Mindanao said they need the help of the “ulamas” to counter recruitment efforts of ISIS and other terror groups.

This can be done by giving the Muslim youth proper spiritual guidance as there are some efforts to recruit the former, they said. With AFP

- Advertisement -

LATEST NEWS

Popular Articles