Alert on vs sympathy attacks

ZAMBOANGA CITY — As in other parts of the country, the police and the military are now on heightened alert in this southern port city against possible sympathy attacks as the United States-led war against Iraq finally took off yesterday.

Marines patrol in teams around the city, while other government troops are starting to be more visible in the downtown area and in the outskirts as well.

Col. Alexander Yapching, commander of Zamboanga Task Force, said troop visibility is a protective measure against armed groups who may take advantage of the situation.

He, however, admitted that they have not received any confirmed threats from rebel groups or sympathetic militants.

"We have sufficient forces to secure Zamboanga City," he said.

In the past two decades, Zamboanga had suffered from sympathy attacks from Muslim militants following military offensives against separatist rebels and the Abu Sayyaf.

Last Thursday, Scout Rangers clashed with Abu Sayyaf rebels in the jungles of Sulu. Brig. Gen. Romeo Tolentino, vice chief for operation of the Southern Command, said the extremists are now reportedly regrouping.

Even American soldiers training Filipino troops in anti-terror drive have also stepped up their security.

Maj. Keven Coyler, training director of the Bayanihan joint military exercise, said they have carried out security cooperation with their Filipino counterparts. He did not elaborate.

Meanwhile, the 1,496-strong League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) said town mayors all over the country are on 24-hour watch to ensure that no sympathy attacks befall their respective localities.

Binalonan, Pangasinan Mayor Ramon Guico, LMP president, said municipal mayors have activated their respective peace and order councils to counter any terrorist threats.

"In this time of crisis, everyone must cooperate. We will use our powers to go after profiteers and hoarders," he added.

The military’s Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) has also placed its units on heightened alert against armed groups which might take advantage of the situation.

Col. Preme Monta, Nolcom information officer, said soldiers are now closely guarding vital installations which might be possible targets of sympathy attacks.

At Clark Field in Pampanga, the Task Force for National Security held an emergency meeting yesterday with officials of the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport to lay down plans for the use of the 2,500-hectare civil aviation complex as holding area for overseas Filipino workers who might be flown home should the Iraq war escalate.

In Davao City, officials and businessmen have put in place the necessary contingency measures to cushion the impact of the Iraq war.

Vice Mayor Luis Bongcuyan said a multisectoral team will monitor the movement and prices of goods. "We shall give full attention to utilities, food and fuel," he said.

In Cebu City, Mayor Tomas Osmeña expressed uneasiness on the city’s precarious security situation.

"The threat is very real. The city does not have the capability to watch everything," he said.

Osmeña urged the public to be vigilant and report to authorities any suspicious activities. He reiterated his call to parishes to form security committees and coordinate with barangay officials. — With Perseus Echeminada, James Mananghaya, Edith Regalado, Miriam Garcia Desacada and Freeman News Service