NCRPO to conduct anti-terror drills

The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) would be conducting week-long anti-terror drills at crowded establishments in Metro Manila to determine their preparedness of security personnel in dealing with attacks.

"We want to know how security guards of establishments react to a terrorist attack. We will be looking at where they would rush victims, how they prevent stampedes and whether their communication system and standby power are working," Metro police chief Director Vidal Querol.

Querol said they would be holding the drill in Manila. The NCRPO has coordinated with the management of two popular malls, where drills are expected to be held.

"We are giving malls and commercial centers our top priority in the anti-terrorist drills before moving to crowded government offices," he said.

The Metro police chief said they would also require establishments to post signs leading to exits to guide the public to their safety in case of an attack.

Anti-terror drills were planned following reports received by NCRPO intelligence chief Senior Superintendent Felipe Rojas Jr. that terror groups like the Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiyah are planning to stage bomb attacks in Metro Manila.

"We have reports that the members were sighted in Metro Manila and have been moving from one place to another to avoid detection," Rojas said.

The NCRPO, along with its counterparts in the military, are also guarding vital installations like the Pandacan oil depot and the Light Rail Transit (LRT) and Metro Rail Transit (MRT) to protect them from possible bomb attacks.

According to Querol, NCRPO units would be playing key roles in the anti-terror drills.

He said elements of the Explosives and Ordnance Division (EOD) and bomb squads would respond to the "site" of a terrorist attack.

"Minsan kasi sumasabay sa pagtakbo ng mga biktima ang mga suspect kaya’t kailangan matuto ang mga pulis natin na maghanap sa kanila sa maraming tao," Querol said.

The NCRPO chief said uniformed policemen would also cordon off the terror attack site to prevent bystanders from destroying evidence.

Malls and commercial centers have installed closed-circuit TV systems to aid the NCRPO in the war against criminal syndicates. Their effectiveness would also be tested during the anti-terror drill.

"We will also review the cameras of the establishments to determine if they are working to our advantage like we envisioned them to be," he added.

Querol said they would also conduct the same anti-terror drills at the Ortigas and Makati City business districts.

"We will see to it that these security exercise are completed in one week," he said.