Mayors securing Metro

Local chief executives in Metro Manila began taking the lead yesterday in maintaining peace and order and securing their respective cities from a possible wave of terror attacks.

During a meeting between President Arroyo and Metro Manila mayors in Malacañang yesterday, Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte said the Quezon City government has come up with a comprehensive plan to ensure the safety of residents against both terrorist threats and criminal elements.

Belmonte said the Peace and Order Council of Quezon City has activated barangay security deputies to complement the police force and security guard services in various commercial establishments, and government buildings in Quezon City.

The city’s 140 barangays have already been mobilized as part of contingency measures in the anti-terror campaign of the city government, supported by national government agencies. The meeting, originally scheduled for tomorrow, was called by the President yesterday in an effort to assess the bomb scare situation.

Belmonte assured his constituents yesterday that it was "business as usual," saying the city remains one of the safest in the country despite Friday’s bus bombing in Balintawak.

"We should go on with our business. We should not panic, but at the same time take precautionary measures," he pointed out.

The mayor also allayed fears of the Muslim community about the possibility of a crackdown against them following the bomb attack.

The Moro Christian People’s Alliance said communities in Barangay Culiat, Quezon City and Maharlika in Taguig are fearful that the Philippine National Police may once again use them as fall guys and blame them for the terror attacks.

Belmonte said a thorough investigation is ongoing in connection with Friday’s incident, stressing that reports that a Muslim group was responsible is purely speculation at this point.

"Right now, there is no evidence of that. That speculation is not justified," the mayor said.

In Manila, Mayor Lito Atienza directed the Western Police District to work closely with barangay leaders and other sectors in securing the safety of the people.

"We have to be very alert to prevent any untoward incident. Local government units should take the lead role in securing our communities," Atienza said.

Atienza said the city government is taking the lead role in compliance with President Arroyo’s Memorandum Order 77 that gives Metro Manila mayors operational control over the police in their respective localities.

The mayor said the police should work with barangay leaders, commercial establishment owners, school administrators, hospital administrators and religious leaders in places of worship in the city.

"This requires the concerted effort of all sectors in the city and we have to be vigilant to prevent further disturbances as well as increase our level of preparedness so we can respond quickly if anything happens," he pointed out.

"We have to involve everybody in gathering information on persons or groups planning to create disturbances," Atienza added.

For his part, Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay appealed to all pranksters to stop taking advantage of the situation.

His appeal was made in response to a huge number of bomb reports being received by the police, most of which turn out to be hoaxes.

Despite the hoaxes, Binay said the city government is taking no chances as he considers the threats to the city as a reality.

With 53 embassies, more than 400 banks and the presence of several headquarters of multinational companies, the city is a prime target of a terrorist attack, he said.

Binay has called for a command conference with the police, Department of Public Safety, Makati Rescue and the barangay tanods to discuss the security measures.

Private subdivisions and shopping malls have been secured, he said.

Binay also said that police tourist desks have been set up in strategic areas around the city.

"We are exerting all efforts to ensure the safety of residents and visitors in Makati City. There is a need to call for vigilance and alertness because terrorism is global and real," he said. – With Cecille Suerte Felipe, Marvin Sy