Terror threat in most parts of Mindanao remains high, says PNP

By Ronron
April 12, 2007

The threat of terrorism in most parts of Mindanao remains high for this month, the Philippine National Police (PNP) quoted the Anti-Terrorism Task Force (ATTF) to have given said assessment.

In a statement Thursday, Chief Supt. Samuel Pagdilao, Jr. said the ATTF placed Regions 9, 10, 11, and 12, and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) under Terror Threat Level III or “High” because of the continuing threat from the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), the Jemaah Islamiyah and other Al Qaeda terrorist groups.

A “high” terror level means a terrorist attack is a strong possibility within a certain period of time.

The lowest level is LOW, which means there is no monitored intent and capability to attack; followed by MODERATE, which means that a terrorist attack is possible but not likely to happen. Next to HIGH level is EXTREME, which is classified further into two: EXTREME SEVERE, which means a terrorist attack is highly likely, and EXTREME CRITICAL, which means that a terrorist attack has occurred, or has just been preempted, and follow-on attacks are expected.

“PNP Chief Director General Oscar Calderon ordered all police personnel in Central Mindanao to remain vigilant after the Anti-Terrorism Task Force said terrorist threat in the said region remains high for the month of April,” Pagdilao said.

Pagdilao said Calderon ordered the entire police force in Mindanao to “keep up their measures to ensure public safety by beefing up their intelligence operations and their day and night checkpoints in order to prevent” the ASG, the JI, as well as the New People’s Army from carrying out terrorist activities.

The only region in Mindanao that is safe from terrorist attack is Region XIII or the Caraga Region, which has been placed on Low Terror Threat Level, similar to regions from Ilocos to Southern Tagalog, and Regions V to VIII.

Terrorism threat in Metro Manila, however, remains at Moderate Level.

Hence, Pagdilao said Calderon directed the regional police directors in the National Capital Region and Region IV-B (MIMAROPA) to “guard all government and other vital installations, such as communication facilities and power lines.”

“These facilities are commonly the subject of terrorist attacks and the PNP cannot afford to take chances and let the NPA in MIMAROPA carryout their vicious activities,” Calderon said in the statement./DMS