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Anti-terror exercises held at train stations


MANILA, Philippines - Authorities conducted an anti-terrorism drill Saturday morning at railway stations in Quezon City as part of the awareness campaign program and preparation strategy to combat terrorism.   Organized by the Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC), the simulation exercises on how to respond to terrorist attacks and mass casualty incidents were held simlutaneously at the Light Railway Transit 2 (LRT-2) Cubao station and Metro Rail Transit (MRT) North Avenue station. Coordinating the exercise was the National Counter-Terrorism Action Group (Nactag) under the supervision of Undersecretary Arturo Lomibao, a former chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP). In a press statement, Justice Undersecretary Ricardo Blancaflor, ATC spokesman, said the exercises depicted what would happen during a terrorist attack. Blancaflor described the drill this way: "Passengers on board were 'alarmed' by the presence of a suspected suicide bomber who was disguised as an ordinary passenger but with sets of bombs around his body. "The suspect caused panic and the information reached the Operations Control Center which immediately coordinated with external security components – the Nactag Operation Center and the PNP RMG-NCRPO – and the organic LRT Authority team for initial crisis management. "The door of the train has not opened yet when the bomb around the body of the terrorist suddenly exploded. Commotion ensued following the explosion. The presumed attack left hundreds of passengers dead, including the train operator and train escorts. Hundreds were also injured." Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, who took part in the drill, said the simulation aimed to fine-tune the response of authorities and civilians in detecting and reacting to terrorist attacks. "Kung may mangyari, automatic ang action ng awtoridad para ma-detect at mahuli ang perpetrators and to prevent terrorism from happening in other places [If something happens, authorities and civilians would know what to do]," he said in an interview on dzRH radio.   He said civilians must also be aware of what to detect and how to react, adding that civilians could be effective in the early detection of terrorist threats.   But he admitted that during the drill, LRT administrator Melquiades Robles had to repeatedly assure LRT passengers that what was happening was just a drill. "Everyone needs to be aware of this threat para sa ganoon anga ting kababayan makatulong sa awtoridad ng early detection ng terrorist [Everyone needs to be aware of this threat so we as civilians detect it and help authorities deal with it early]," he said. Saturday's drill was held at the LRT-2 in Cubao, a busy shopping district in Quezon City.   Heading the simulation was the National Counter Terrorism Action Group, with the Metro Manila police as action unit.   Ermita belied claims the drill was held in response to Thursday's blasts in Iligan City, where at least two people were confirmed dead.   "Di dahil sa nangyari sa Iligan pero pinlalno namin isang buwan, makasigurado na lahat ay aware at alert [This was not because of the Iligan blasts. We planned this one month in advance to make sure everyone is aware and alert]," he said. Also present during the drill were retired general Pedro Cabuay; Fernando Mesa, executive director of the ATC Coordinating Center; Metro Manila police chief Director Leopoldo Bataoil; and Senior Superintendent Paterno Hernandez, Nactag deputy chief. – GMANews.TV
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