Terrorism still a threat after 9/11 — GMA

Terrorism is still a deadly threat that must be countered by vigilance, President Arroyo said yesterday, the third anniversary of the Sept. 11 terror attacks in the United States.

"The deadly threat is still there," Mrs. Arroyo said in a statement that came just days after the deadly bombing in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta that left nine people dead and over 160 others wounded.

"More than ever, we need the vigilance of every Filipino to preempt any strike and to intercept any remaining terrorist cells that may be planning mayhem," she added.

"We will not let them taunt or intimidate us," Mrs. Arroyo said as she spoke of success in capturing Filipinos suspected of being members of the al-Qaeda-linked Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) network.

"We are going after the remaining leaders and operatives and dismantling their networks in Southeast Asia through intensified and continuous cooperation among our neighbors and allies," she said.

The JI has claimed responsibility for Thursday’s car bomb attack outside the Australian embassy in Jakarta, and warned of further attacks.

Just after the Jakarta bombing, Philippine military and police forces raised their alert levels and tightened security around key embassies and other potential targets in Metro Manila.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo said Philippine embassies had been asked to "take all necessary precautions for its personnel and premises against possible terrorist attacks" in the run-up to the Sept. 11 anniversary.

The JI was blamed for a car bomb outside the residence of Ambassador to Jakarta Leonides Caday in August 2000, which severely wounded him and his driver.

Philippine authorities blamed JI and renegade members of the separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) for the Dec. 30, 2000 bombings in Metro Manila which killed 22 people and wounded over a hundred others.

Security officials said there is no "specific threat" of a new attack but have raised alert levels.

The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) heightened its security alert yesterday in the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) complex.

MIAA assistant general manager for security and emergency services chief retired general Angel Atutubo said they have deployed additional security personnel at the NAIA complex and the domestic airport.

Immigration authorities have also placed their personnel assigned at NAIA on alert.

Immigration head supervisor for NAIA Ferdinand Sampol said Immigration Commissioner Alipio Fernandez Jr. issued an order to be on alert on suspicious activities.

Marines have been deployed at the NAIA with policemen with sniffing dogs guarding the entrance and exits of the airport.

Former senator Robert Barbers said the claim of the JI owning up to the Jakarta blast last Thursday is an indication the terror threat is real.

Barbers said the Armed Forces and the Philippine National Police (PNP) must now double their efforts of ensuring the safety of the public.

"I was alarmed over the perceived security threats being posed by terrorists in the country in the light of what happened in Indonesia," he said.

Just like Australia, Barbers said the Philippines remains the target of terrorists since it is one of the strongest allies of the US in the region.

A few hours after flying back to the country yesterday from Brunei, Mrs. Arroyo immediately convened her advisers for a briefing of the country’s security situation following the bomb attack in Jakarta.

Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said the Jakarta blast serves as a grim reminder for the Philippines and the rest of the world community not to be complacent.

"Our country continues to take steps to fight terrorism. We have seen our campaign against terrorism bear fruits. But this bombing (of the Australian embassy) in Jakarta was a signal that we must step up our cooperation through exchange of intelligence information with agencies of other countries," he said.

Bunye said the military and the police, along with the local government units, have implemented "hardening" measures on perceived terror targets.

"Terrorism recognizes no country, no boundaries, nor religion or creed. So anytime they see a soft target, it is possible they would attack it," he said.

"So it is important that we all must be ready, be vigilant and report any suspicious activities in our surroundings."

Bunye called on the citizenry to go on with their normal activities "and at the same time, remain alert in the things around us." – With Sandy Araneta, AFP