MANILA, Philippines - The National Capital Region Police Office conducted dialogues with Muslim elders yesterday to seek their cooperation in preventing the tension brought about by the Maguindanao massacre from escalating in Metro Manila.
NCRPO chief Director Roberto Rosales said his five district directors “touched base” with the Muslim elders in their respective communities in Metro Manila asking them to report the presence of suspicious-looking men, especially those armed, in their respective barangays. He noted that the Muslim communities condemned the Maguindanao massacre.
“The Muslim elders assured my five police district directors of their full support in the maintenance of peace and order in Metro Mania and prevent the spillover of the Maguindanao fighting in the metropolis,” said Rosales in an interview.
Coordination
He urged the Muslim elders to report directly to him or his district directors the presence of supporters of Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. so “proper police action would be conducted to neutralize them.”
The NCRPO chief also coordinated with the Aviation Security Group (ASG) and the Maritime Command in prevent supporters of the Ampatuan clan from sneaking into Metro Manila through seaports and airports, bringing along their firearms.
As of 12 noon yesterday, there was no report as yet of any “movements” at the Muslim communities in Metro Manila and Rosales expressed hope that the peaceful atmosphere in the metropolis would last forever. “Our security preparation for the Christmas season is holding forth. There is no need to panic as there is no report as yet that the Ampatuan clan supporters are already here in the metropolis,” said Rosales.
Rosales placed the 15,000-strong NCRPO on heightened alert last Sunday as he ordered an intensified intelligence gathering operations in Metro manila and its neighboring provinces.
Rosales directed Senior Superintendent Billy Beltran, NCRPO intelligence chief to be on the lookout for supporters of the Ampatuan clan and identify the mansions they are residing in Metro Manila’s posh subdivisions.