RP embassy in US orders personnel to guard vs attacks

WASHINGTON – As Americans brace for war with Iraq, the Philippine Embassy in Washington has advised its staff to be extra vigilant.

Defense and Armed Forces attaché Brig. Gen. Delfin Lorenzana said a series of drills have been held at the embassy to ensure that the 60-member staff know what to do in the event of terrorist retaliation.

He said the aim was to keep as many staff as possible in the embassy to assist Filipino citizens or advise them on what to do in case of an emergency.

Security has been tightened across the nation and with bombs expected to drop in Iraq within hours, Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge has upgraded the nation’s terrorist level to orange indicating "high risk."

"We have to be prepared," Ridge told a press briefing. He cautioned people to remain on the lookout for suspicious activity, but at the same time advised them to carry on with their normal everyday activities.

The Philippines is one of 30 countries that publicly supports US efforts to disarm Iraq’s Saddam Hussein and the embassy has urged its staff to exercise caution, even at home.

"We are stocking up on essential items such as water, tinned food, flashlights and batteries," said the embassy’s military attaché Col. Nestor Sadiarin.

The embassy, he said, had the funds to purchase gas masks for the staff and their families in case of chemical or biological attacks.

Meanwhile, Southern Command chief Lt. Gen. Narciso Abaya left for Manila on Wednesday after a week-long visit here to discuss security issues with ranking US officials.

Abaya declined a request for an interview but US military sources said the main issues discussed included the Philippines’ role in post-war Iraq and the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ immediate needs of two C-130 cargo planes and at least 20 Huey helicopters to help it crush the Abu Sayyaf rebels in 90 days as ordered by President Arroyo.

The sources said the Philippines may be asked to provide doctors, nurses, oil rig technicians and administrators to help in Iraq’s post-war reconstruction.

They said the framework of new RP-US military exercises was also laid out during the talks but both sides agreed not to divulge any detail until everything is thoroughly threshed out to avoid a repeat of problems such as the one that led to the shelving of the proposed Balikatan 03-1 RP-US joint military exercises in Sulu.