Manila cops heighten alert as Ramadan nears end

Despite the flak they continue to get for the Aug. 23 hostage crisis, Manila police tightened security for key installations in the city as the holy month of Ramadan nears its end. Radio dzBB’s Carlo Mateo reported Tuesday that the Manila Police District is not taking any chances that the Abu Sayyaf may attempt retaliatory attacks during the occasion. MPD head Chief Superintendent Roberto Rongavilla ordered a 24-hour watch on vital installations such as the United States Embassy, the Supreme Court, and the Pandacan oil depot. He also ordered police to coordinate with presidential guards in securing the Malacañang compound. Rongavilla likewise ordered a closer watch over crime-prone areas especially those covered by closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems. On Monday, military and police forces in southern Philippines both raised their alert levels as the Ramadan comes to a close this Friday, and also in anticipation of retaliatory attacks from the Abu Sayyaf after three of its members were killed in Sulu. (See: AFP, PNP raise alert levels in Mindanao) — RSJ, GMANews.TV