MANILA: Police were ordered to implement a security plan for the Lenten season and summer vacation. Philippine National Police Director General Alan Purisima said the plan would complement contingency measures for the elections. He said that aside from the Holy Week, various town fiestas will be held from the last week of March until May. “Such events are expected to generate numerous commuters and tourists who will travel to the provinces and tourist destinations and these may cause peace and order concerns including traffic congestion, accidents and other crimes,” he said.
High alert over
rebel attacks
MANILA: The government has put in place additional security to thwart any attacks by the leftist New People’s Army (NPA). An announcement was made following the collapse of peace talks between the government and the National Democratic Front (NDF). The NDF is the political wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines and the NPA. Deputy presidential spokesman Abigail Valte said police and military personnel have increased their presence in areas where the NPAs are allegedly extorting money from candidates in the mid- term elections in May.
Suspected Abu member nabbed
MANILA: Policemen arrested a suspected member of the Abu Sayyaf group in Zamboanga yesterday. Philippine National Police spokesman Chief Supt Generoso Cerbo identified the suspect as Jailani Basirul, alias “Bas” and “Angkig. “ He was arrested by Task Force Salinlahi at the vicinity of Valderoza Street in Zamboanga City. Basirul was arrested for his alleged involvement in the kidnapping and massacre of workers of the Golden Harvest Plantation in Tahiran village in Lantawan town, Basilan province in January 2001.
Pulse Asia to continue surveys
MANILA: Independent pollster Pulse Asia said it would not stop conducting pre-election surveys amid calls from political coalitions urging survey firms to disclose their subscribers. Pulse Asia president Ronald Holmes also said they could not reveal the identities of those who commission their surveys. Holmes said only the person who commissioned or paid for the surveys can decide whether or not his identity will be disclosed as part of their agreement in undertaking the polls. “(We are) not required (to disclose), only those who commissioned,” Holmes said. “We will just continue to comply with what is established by law,” Holmes said.
More Navy ships deployed in Sulu Sea
MANILA: The Philippine Navy has deployed more ships in the Sulu Sea to facilitate humanitarian efforts and assist Filipinos fleeing violence in Sabah. “We are eyeing an influx of returnees so our ships, with supplies and personnel aboard, are out there ready to assist them,” Major Franco Alano, acting spokesman for the Western Mindanao Command said. Eleven vessels have been sent to the Sulu Sea, in addition to the 25 patrolling the area. The Navy initially deployed its transport and auxiliary ship BRP Tagbanua to Tawi-Tawi to pick up evacuees but request for the transport ship to dock in Sabah was denied by the Malaysian government.
AGENCIES
