MANILA, Philippines – Amid the recent bombings in Leyte and North Cotabato, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has been placed on heightened alert to prevent similar attacks during the country’s hosting of two international events this year.
PNP chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa said security measures were in place to thwart possible terror attacks during the Miss Universe pageant and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit.
The Miss Universe pageant will be held on Jan. 30 at the SMX Convention center at the MOA Arena in Pasay City. The ASEAN summit is set for April.
“The PNP will remain on high alert to ensure that no untoward incident will mar these international events,” Dela Rosa said on Friday.
“We need to secure these events because failure to do so will put the country in a bad light,” he added.
The PNP chief made the statement after a bomb blast hit Aleosan in North Cotabato where eight people were wounded on Dec. 28.
On the same day, the Maute terror group allegedly bombed the town plaza of Hilongos, Leyte, leaving 32 people wounded.
Dela Rosa said the explosions were isolated cases, adding that the Leyte plaza bombing could be related to to the government’s war on drugs.
“If the purpose of those responsible was to sow terror, they could have targeted Metro Manila and other key cities to cause fear among the people,” he said.
Dela Rosa said the PNP would remain on heightened alert against terrorist groups.
He urged the public to be vigilant.
Black Nazarene feast
The PNP has also started its security preparations for the feast of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, Manila on Jan. 9, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Oscar Albayalde said.
Albayalde said over 5,000 policemen would be deployed to ensure the safety of millions of people expected to join the Black Nazarene procession.
The military is set to enforce strict security measures for the annual religious event to ward off terror attacks.
Albayalde said they would meet with Church leaders, officials of the Manila city government and other stakeholders this week. Emmanuel Tupas