Security tightened at NAIA after bin Laden's death

Security was ordered tightened at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Monday following the United States' announcement of the death of al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. This developed as the intelligence community will meet to collate assessments of the security situation in the country to assess the level of potential danger the country faces. Manila International Airport Authority general manager Jose Angel Honrado ordered tighter checkpoints and added police visibility at the airport premises to prevent possible attacks, radio dzBB's Denver Trinidad reported. Honrado also ordered K-9 units at key areas of the airport to detect explosives and weapons that may be used in possible retaliatory attacks. On Sunday, (Monday, Manila time) US President Barack Obama announced that US forces killed bin Laden in Pakistan. The news comes nearly 10 years after the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the United States, which triggered the US wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Assessments Meanwhile, National Security Adviser Cesar Garcia said the intelligence community will meet to assess potential threats to the country in the wake of bin Laden's death. Garcia said President Benigno Aquino III also ordered the Cabinet's security cluster to assess the security situation given the latest development. "The president has called for (the) security cluster to make assessments," he said in an interview on dzBB radio. He said the local intelligence community will meet to determine if the country is faced with an immediate, medium-term, or long-term danger. Major blow vs terrorism Earlier in the day, the National Police described the death of bin Laden as "a victory for all peace loving citizens and a major blow to terrorists and terrorism." At the same time, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said it remains to be on full alert following bin Laden’s death. NCRPO spokesperson Senior Superintendent Dionardo Carlos said the full alert status raised in Metro Manila last April 13 in preparation for the Holy Week has not been downgraded. — RSJ, GMA News