Cops step up ‘Dubya’ security preparations

The entire Metro police force has stepped up security preparations with only a few days before US President George W. Bush arrives in the country.

Metro police chief Deputy Director General Reynaldo Velasco, ground commander of "Task Force Dubya," said the 17,000-strong Metro police is now working double time to ensure that no untoward incident would happen during the entire eight-hour visit of the US president on Oct. 18.

"The National Capital Region Police Office has been placed on full alert to secure vital installations, including embassies, oil depots and malls in the metropolis.

Police would be reinforced by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) personnel to ensure peace and order including traffic enforcement during the historic visit.

Velasco, however, assured the public that police would not be sidetracked in its campaign against all forms of criminality.

"While we are busy preparing for President Bush visit and our campaign against terrorism, we would like to assure the public that our anti-crime drive is continuing particularly against street crimes, bank robberies, kidnap-for-ransom, illegal drugs and other syndicated crimes," he said.

Under the Task Force Dubya, Velasco created at least five subtask groups as the primary implementing units for the measures drafted for the Bush visit.

The Western Police District (WPD), under Chief Superintendent Pedro Bulaong, and the Northern Police District (NPD), headed by Chief Superintendent Marcelino Franco Jr., converged under "Task Group Namana."

The sub-task force has been tapped to provide route security, crowd control, as well as to secure the immediate vicinity of Malacañang Palace and the US Embassy.

The Central Police District (CPD), headed by Chief Superintendent Napoleon Castro, and Eastern Police District (EPD), led by Chief Superintendent Rolando Sacramento, fall under "Task Group Mahoma," which has been tasked to provide route security and secure the House of Representatives at the Batasan Complex in Quezon City.

The Southern Police District (SPD) headed by Chief Superintendent Jose Gutierrez, is responsible for securing the Makati commercial center as well as providing route, convoy, and airport security under "Task Group Marocona."

The two task groups are Task Groups "Contingency & Support" and "Reserve," to which 3,000 more personnel from the PNP headquarters and the AFP are assigned and will be deployed should the need arise.

Velasco said that close coordination is now being made with the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) as well as the different local government units and other concerned groups for the set-up of the measures.

He added that maximum tolerance will be observed by members of Civil Disturbance Management (CDM) among the rallyists but he stressed that the "no permit, no rally" would be strictly implemented.

Contrary to earlier reports that the US president would go directly to the Batasan complex, sources said Bush would first drop by the US Embassy in Manila and proceed to Malacañang. From the Palace, Bush and President Arroyo would go to Batasan.

WPD-Traffic Enforcement Group (TEG) is planning to close the stretch of Roxas Boulevard from Quirino Avenue, Malate to Anda Circle in Port Area.