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Palace orders vigilance after terror try in US


After a foiled terrorist attack in the United States, Malacañang ordered the Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the Philippines Sunday to be vigilant against similar attempts in the Philippines. Cabinet Secretary Silvestre Bello III said police and military forces should be on “red" or “heightened" alert, even as the country joins in the condemnation of the attempted terrorist act. “Unang una, we join all the other peace-loving nations in condemning this barbaric act. At the same time, kailangan mag-alerto tayo upang ang nangyari doon ay di mangyayari dito sa Pilipinas. Kailangan ‘red alert’ ang ating police authorities at kasundaluhan - all agencies involving security of our country must be on ‘red alert’ (We join the peace-loving nations in condemning this barbaric act. At the same time, our security agencies must be on full vigilance or ‘red alert’ against possible similar attempts here)," Bello said on government-run dzRB radio. He also reminded law enforcers to keep watch over the production and sale of firecrackers, noting the foiled terrorist try in the US may have involved firecrackers. Earlier reports indicated the attempted terrorist attack on a Christmas Day flight began with a pop and a puff of smoke, which sent passengers scrambling to subdue a Nigerian man. The Nigerian claimed to be acting on orders from terrorist network Al-Qaeda to blow up Northwest Airlines Flight 253, carrying 278 passengers and 11 crew members from Amsterdam. According to earlier reports, travelers said they smelled smoke, saw a glow, and heard what sounded like firecrackers popping. At least one person climbed over others and jumped on the man, who officials say was trying to ignite an explosive device. In Manila, Bello said there is no need for Malacañang to remind law enforcers to ensure fireworks safety. “Di na dapat kailangan hintayin ang kautusan galing kay Presidente yan. Dapat alam ng tao sa gobyerno pagdating ng kapaskuhan tutukan ang paggawa at pagbenta ng pyrotechnics para maiwasan ang disgrasya (Lawmen need not wait for orders from the President. They should know that at this time of the year, the manufacture and sale of pyrotechnics should be closely monitored to prevent disaster)," he said. - LBG, GMANews.TV

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