NCRPO chief Director Ricardo de Leon urged the public to remain calm but vigilant amid the new threat of attacks, saying the government and all law enforcement agencies are doing their utmost to ensure their safety through the establishment of a common front to deal with terrorism, particularly aimed at disrupting the elections.
"All operating units of the NCRPO have already been given tasks and duties to ensure that all aspects of security are fully addressed," the Metro police chief.
De Leon gave the assurance following the arrest of two suspected members of the terror group Abu Sayyaf, whose attempt to sow terror in Metro Manila was effectively thwarted by combined police and military operating units.
"With the homestretch of the local and national polls, we will not take any threat to peace and order lightly. There shall be no let-up in our vigilance and we will never lower our guard," said De Leon, noting the NCRPO is prepared for any eventuality in the coming elections.
"There should not be the slightest doubt that the government is capable of protecting our people," he stressed, echoing President Arroyo’s call for calm and assurance of a sustained defense by the state of all basic rights and democratic processes.
The NCRPO chief called for sobriety among all political organizations and parties and advised them to tone down on their partisan activities to avoid opening the volatility of the situation to exploitation by terrorist groups.
With less than a week to go before the elections, De Leon pointed that not a single violent election-related incident occurred in Metro Manila despite registering 18 areas of immediate concern or hot spots.
De Leon also exhorted the citizenry to work with the government toward establishing a formidable force against elements threatening the stability of the country by simply reporting suspicious-looking persons and packages through DILG Police Assistance Hotline 117 or through DILG Text 117.
As part of the security measures of the metropolis, the NCRPO director ordered the five police district directors and 37 station commanders to further beef up security in vital installations or "hard targets" around Metro Manila, particularly government facilities and agencies, the Pandacan oil depot as well as embassies.
Likewise, De Leon directed the dispatch of Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) teams to guard "soft targets" such as malls, public parks and transportation terminals.
He also directed Superintendent Damazo, NCRPO intelligence chief, to activate the "grapevine" intelligence network to gather relevant information as part of the preemptive and preventive aspects of the security measures.