PNP prepares to prevent repeat of Rizal Day bombings

Police in Metro Manila will beef up security to prevent a repeat of the Rizal Day bombings that killed more than 10 people in a series of terrorist attacks in Metro Manila in 2000.

However, Philippine National Police chief Director General Jesus Verzosa said there was no specific threat in connection with the 8th anniversary of the Rizal Day Bombings on Dec. 30.

“Actually one of the three most wanted now in Mindanao is Aleem Sulayman Pangalian, a suspect in the Rizal Day bombings,” he said.

Verzosa said Pangalian, Ameril Umbra Kato, and Abdulrahman Macapaar alias Commander Bravo are among the rogue MILF commanders believed to be behind the burning of houses and the killing of civilians in Cotabato province last July.

“We are concentrating our efforts towards the arrest of any of the three wanted MILF members Kato, Bravo, and Pangalian,” he said.

“Although we have some reports before pertaining to some terrorist threats, these past few weeks we have none.”

Verzosa said police will implement security measures to ensure public safety during the Christmas holidays.

“We have not yet declared any heightened alert,” he said.

“Actually we are allowing our personnel to go on 50-50 privilege break for this holiday season. And we hope that nothing happens for this holiday season because most sectors want to enjoy the holidays.”

Uniformed policemen will remain deployed in vital installation like the LRT, MRT, oil depots, bus terminals, airports and seaports until after the holidays, Verzosa said.

On Dec. 30, 2000, Rizal Day, five terrorist bombings took place almost simultaneously in Metro Manila within a span of a few hours.

Fifteen people were killed and hundreds injured.

One of the bombs exploded at Plaza Ferguson, less than a hundred meters from the United States Embassy in Manila.

The second bomb blew up inside a coach of the Light Rail Transit on Blumentritt Station in Manila.

More than 10 people were killed inside the train.

The third attack was on a gasoline station in Makati, where a policeman was killed, while the fourth bomb went off near the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City.

The fifth bomb exploded in a bus terminal in Cubao, Quezon City. – Cecille Suerte Felipe