Heightened alert status in Metro remains - PNP

MANILA, Philippines - Aside from the countdown to Christmas Day, the possibility of an attack similar to last week's Iligan City blasts have prompted police in Metro Manila to remain on heightened alert. Metro Manila police chief Director Leopoldo Bataoil said Monday they will conduct more random inspections of crowded areas to deter criminals and terrorists. "Noong nangyari ang sa Iligan minaintain natin ang heightened alert status na ito. Kailangan doble ang ating pagbabantay sa mga matataong lugar (Since the Iligan blasts, we have maintained heightened alert status. We have to remain on double alert especially in crowded places)," Bataoil said in an interview on dzBB radio. Bataoil personally inspected before dawn Monday the Ali Mall bus terminal in Quezon City. Under heightened alert, he said at least half of the Metro Manila police force's manpower will always be on duty at any given time. He also said this means the leaves of police personnel in Metro Manila will be canceled, at least during the long holiday break. "Ang PNP on a random basis tumutulong dito. Hopefully maiwasan natin ang tulad sa Iligan (The PNP will help in inspection operations on a random basis. We hope to prevent what happened in Iligan City)," he said in a separate interview on dzXL radio. Last Thursday, at least two people were killed in two blasts in hit shopping malls in Iligan City. The blasts prompted a travel advisory from the United Kingdom against travel to Mindanao. Bataoil said he ordered particularly heightened security in airports, seaports and bus terminals, as well as churches, malls, and Light and Metro Train Transit (LRT/MRT) systems. Also, K-9 units were deployed to crowded areas to sniff out bombs, drugs and deadly weapons and contraband. Bataoil said that while they have had no intelligence reports confirming a possible terrorist strike, he does not want to take any chances during the season. The Metro Manila police also placed all explosives and ordnance division (EOD) personnel on alert on a 24-hour basis, he added. Meanwhile, shoppers crowded Manila's busy Divisoria district past midnight Sunday in a rush to beat the "deadline." Several malls in the area, including the Tutuban Mall, were teeming with shoppers looking for bargains. Even vendors tending stalls in the sidewalks reported brisk sales Sunday night until midnight, the report said. - GMANews.TV