PNP ready for spillover of Mindanao conflict

The entire Philippine National Police (PNP) has been placed on full alert as President Arroyo left for China Thursday, anticipating the possible spillover of the conflict in Mindanao to Metro Manila and other parts of the country.

Director Silverio Alarcio Jr., chief of the PNP Directorate for Operations, said there was no specific threat but the upgrading of the alert level was to prevent attacks in urban areas.

“That’s the reason why we have alerted our regional directors even outside Metro Manila, outside Mindanao to harden the possible targets of terrorist activities,” Alarcio told reporters during the Talakayan sa Isyu ng Pulis, a weekly forum sponsored by the PNP.

Although it was part of PNP standard procedures to go on full alert when the President is out of the country, Alarcio said they “are anticipating possible violence in some urban centers, which are the usual targets of terrorists.”

He added that the nationwide full alert took effect at 7 p.m. Thursday while Mindanao regions have been on full alert since Aug. 3.

Alarcio said PNP officials are hoping for the success of the negotiation between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front for the pullout of some of its members in some barangays in the towns of Aleosan, Libungan and Midsayap in North Cotabato.

Asked about the possibility that the talks would fail, he said “we will cross the bridge when we get there. As of now, the talks are going well.”  – Cecille Suerte Felipe