WASHINGTON: The Philippine National Police (PNP) is eyeing stricter measures in various ports in Metro Manila and other provinces that have direct access to the metropolis. This, as the police earlier announced that an ISIS-inspired terror group based in Central Mindanao has already established presence in Metro Manila following the arrest of one of its members allegedly tasked to carry out bomb attacks in Metro Manila. “We will take precautionary measures to ensure the security of the public not just only in Metro Manila but also in other places,” said Senior Supt. Dionardo Carlos, PNP spokesman.
Carlos made the statement in reference to the foiled US Embassy bomb attack last year wherein the improvised explosive device was brought from Mindanao to Metro Manila. Focus, he said, will be given on the so-called nautical highway or RORO (Roll-on, Roll-Off) which was used as the access of the suspected bombers in hiding the bomb inside a car that was boarded in either Visayas or Mindanao and alighted in a port in Luzon. He said there maybe additional deployment of policemen in various ports in order to maximize the inspection and security measures of people and vehicles arriving in Manila or Luzon ports.