AFP braces for Holy Week

MANILA, Philippines - Troops will be deployed nationwide to thwart any terrorist attempt to commit atrocities during the Holy Week.

Brig. Gen. Roberto Almadin, Joint Peace and Security Coordinating Council co-chairman, said yesterday among the possible targets of terrorists are airports, seaports, public transportation and vital installations.

Speaking at a meeting of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, Almadin said the military is closely monitoring churches, tourist spots and public places.

“The gatherings of people in churches, cathedral, and places of religious interest and tourist spots may be taken advantage of by terrorists to conduct attacks to sow chaos, disorder and gain media mileage,” he said.

The Armed Forces General Headquarters has directed unified commands to coordinate with the police, Coast Guard, the transportation department and other agencies to ensure the safety of the public, he added.

Almadin said the military is preparing for security risks, although no specific threat had been detected.

“It’s (Holy Week) an opportunity for them (terrorists) so we are not discounting that possibility (that they would launch attacks),” he said.

“Logically, we have to be prepared. We are not saying this (attack) will happen. But if it happens, at least the level of preparedness is higher.”

Almadin said the Western Mindanao Command will deploy one platoon each in Isabela cathedral, Maluso church and Lamitan church, all in Basilan.

Soldiers will also be tasked to secure churches in Sulu, he added.

However, Almadin said the military will also be on alert against other armed groups.

“We expect all of them to do some actions, that’s why we prepare for eventualities,” he said.

Other areas to be closely monitored are the Cubao-Edsa area in Metro Manila, Pangasinan, La Union and the Ilocos provinces in northern Luzon, Puerto Galera, Camarines Sur, and ports in Batangas and Mindoro for southern Luzon, Palawan in western Philippines, Boracay and Panglao, Bohol in the Visayas, and Cotabato City and Davao in eastern Mindanao.

Representatives from various state agencies yesterday met in Camp Aguinaldo to thresh out the preparations for the Lenten break.

Attending the meeting were officials from the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), the military, Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration, Metro Manila Development Authority, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Public Works and Highways, Coast Guard, Philippine National Police, Department of Transportation and Communications, Bureau of Fire Protection, Marina, Philippine Ports Authority, Department of Education, Department of Science and Technology.

Representatives of the Philippine Red Cross also attended the meeting.

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and OCD administrator Benito Ramos led the meeting.