Following the attack at Resorts World Manila in Pasay City, Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada has ordered the Manila Police District to maintain its highest defense readiness condition to frustrate any security threats in the country’s capital.
This as Estrada announced he will be meeting with private security agencies, particularly those guarding big hotels, gaming areas such as casinos, malls, and similar establishments, to reassess their security measures and capabilities in the wake of the recent incident.
“The incident at Resorts World highlights the need to reexamine the readiness of the security officers of business establishments. We should not let that incident to happen again,” Estrada said.
He also conveyed his deepest condolence to the families of 37 people who died in the rampage.
“On behalf of the people of the City of Manila, I offer my heartfelt sympathy to the families of the deceased. May the souls of their loved ones find eternal rest,” said Estrada.
He likewise called on the public to refrain from spreading speculations about the incident, particularly in the social media, “that only ignite unnecessary tension and panic among the populace.”
Amid fears of “small-scale” terrorist attacks in Metro Manila, the mayor assured that the city’s 4,600-strong police force has been in heightened alert in the past several weeks.
MPD director Chief Supt. Joel Coronel confirmed he has received instructions from Estrada to set up a meeting with various private security agencies and “in-house” security units of business establishments in the city anytime this week.
“Also, the Mayor reminded us to keep our full alert status until such time the tension at Resorts World has died down, kasi we don’t know kung meron pang similar attacks…so we have to prepare for similar threats,” he said.
Coronel said he is coordinating with the PNP-Supervisory Office for Security and Investigation Agency (Sosia) in Camp Crame to help in the consultative meeting with the security officers and agencies operating in Manila.
He pointed out that the MPD hopes to come up with “a working agreement” with these private security offices with regards to protecting the commercial establishments within the city.
A highly urbanized city, Manila is the country’s seat of power and is a major center for commerce and tourism.
Around 60,000 establishments operate in the city, including big hotels and gaming centers such as Manila Hotel, New World Manila Bay Hotel and Casino in Malate, Waterfront Manila Pavilion Hotel and Casino in Ermita, and Winford Hotel and Casino in Sta. Cruz, among others.