Security in Metro Manila tightened against possible attacks

Authorities have tightened the security in Metro Manila to thwart possible retaliatory attacks by the supporters of al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden, who was killed by American commandos on Sunday, a police official said. In an interview on Unang Balita on Thursday, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) head Chief Supt. Allan Purisima said police security has been tightened in populous places that could be possible targets of terrorist attacks.
"Nung unang command conference, sinabi na po natin ito sa ating mga district director na paigtingin ang seguridad sa places of convergence, lalo na sa mga talagang maraming tao," the newly installed NCRPO director said. "Kung gusto po ng mga terorista na maghasik ng lagim, sila po ay magta-target ng mga matataong lugar. 'Yung mga importanteng mga gusali, yung mga vital installations, 'yun din po ang mga tatargetin nila," he said. Also, he said the police have intensified intelligence gathering operations, even as he urged the public to cooperate with the police by giving information regarding possible attacks. Days after the news about bin Laden's death broke out, the police tightened security not only at airports and seaports but also of various embassies in Manila. The Manila Police District had deployed additional forces around the US Embassy in Manila as requested by the Americans. Meanwhile, National Security Adviser Cesar Garcia said that based on his office's assessment, security risk in the NCR is only at moderate level, while in some regions in Mindanao the level is "high." Garcia said the threat level is “assessed to be at high level" the following regions: