Cops in MManila on heightened alert over Ampatuan detention

The Philippine National Police went on heightened alert in Metro Manila Friday following the arrest and detention of Datu Unsay, Maguindanao Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. for the massacre that killed at least 57 in Maguindanao last Monday. PNP deputy for operations Director Andres Caro II said the Ampatuan clan, which was linked to the massacre, is known to have residences in the metropolis. "Naka-heightened alert ang PNP dahil sa possible spillover. Identified natin may residences sila dito, sa Davao City, Tacurong at Cotabato City (We are on heightened alert in those areas because of a possible spillover. The parties involved have houses here, in Davao City, Tacurong in Sultan Kudarat, and Cotabato City)," he said in an interview aired early Friday on dzBB radio. Earlier, police heightened security in Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat and Cotabato City - areas covered by a state of emergency declared by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo following the massacre in Ampatuan town. Security was similarly tightened at the National Bureau of Investigation headquarters inand at the Islamic Center in Manila's Quiapo district following the detention of Ampatuan Thursday night. A report by dzBB's Carlo Mateo said the NBI refused to allow supposed "friends" of the mayor to bring in a mattress and electric fan for him at the NBI detention facility. The mayor, who was detained at the NBI Thursday night, was to undergo a medical checkup. The Department of Justice expects to charge him with multiple murder within the day. NBI agents also noted some men tried to visit the mayor, claiming to be his friends. The "friends" were accosted after an inspection showed they were carrying high-powered firearms. Another report by radio dzBB's Denevin Macaranas early Friday said uniformed NBI personnel with high-powered firearms guarded the NBI compound where the mayor was detained since Thursday night, following intelligence reports of "threats" to the mayor. The heightened security also stemmed from men acting suspiciously at the NBI compound since late Thursday, after it was determined that Ampatuan would be detained there.

For its part, the Manila Police District (MPD) helped secure the NBI compound, dispatching a patrol car to make regular rounds around the area. Meanwhile, Manila police tightened security and increased patrols at the Islamic Center in Quiapo, asking residents there to report suspicious-looking "newcomers" there. Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim ordered police to be on the lookout for "strangers" and inspect them for possible high-powered firearms. - RSJ/GMANews.TV