March 23, 2016 – News Releases

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23 Mar 2016
Palace: Enough security measures are in place to thwart terror attacks in the country
 
Malacañang on Wednesday assured that sufficient security measures are being implemented in the country, especially following the bomb attacks in Belgium that left 34 people dead.In an interview at the Palace, Communication Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said the government is strict in securing public places in the country.

“Ang ipinaiiral natin ay ang mga deterrents at detection measures tulad nga ng heightened visibility of uniformed personnel sa mga terminals at ang pagpapakita na ang ating sinusunod ay mga patakaran na magpapatatag sa seguridad ng mga transportation terminals,” he told reporters.

These security measures in airports and terminals, he said, include the inspection of people and vehicles, and X-ray scans of baggage, hand-carried items and cargoes.

“Hindi ito pangkaraniwang ginagawa sa ibang bansa at kahit hindi pa naganap ang pinakahuling terror attack sa Brussels, matagal nang ipinapatupad at pinapairal ang mga security measures na katulad ng ating nabanggit bilang pagpapatatag sa kasiguruhan ng seguridad ng ating mga mamamayan at ng mga naglalakbay sa loob ng ating bansa,” Secretary Coloma said.

The Palace official further quoted Philippine Ambassador to Belgium Victoria Bataclan as saying that no Filipino has been killed or injured during the terror attacks.

“Patuloy na tinututukan ni Ambassador Bataclan ang sitwasyon doon at sinabi naman niyang nasa maayos na kalagayan naman ang ating mga mamamayan at patuloy na sinusubaybayan ang mga kaganapan sa Brussels,” he added.

Coloma also advised Filipinos in Belgium to remain vigilant and heed the call of Belgian authorities if they have announcements.

According to news reports, two explosions were heard at the Brussels airport and another at a busy train station in the Belgian capital on Tuesday, killing some 34 people and injuring about 250.

The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the coordinated bombing but Belgian authorities are still determining whether the terror group is behind the attacks. PND (as)
Contingency measures are ready for observance of Holy Week, says Palace official
 
The government has already implemented several measures to assist people and ensure their safety as they troop to the provinces to observe Holy Week, a Palace official said on Wednesday. “Simula pa noong mga nakaraang araw ay tinutukan na ito ng lahat ng mga ahensiya ng pamahalaan. Bukod sa DOTC (Department of Transportation and Communications), sa mga transport installations, iyon namang DILG (Department of Interior and Local Government) natin ay sumusubaybay din sa seguridad,” Communication Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. told reporters during an interview in Malacañang.

“Nag-deploy sila ng mga police assistance desks sa mga iba’t ibang terminals at sapat naman ang deployment ng ating kapulisan sa mga lugar na ito.”

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) will be on “blue alert” in line with the country’s observance of Holy Week.

The blue alert status requires half of NDRRMC personnel to be ready for contingencies.

The NDRRMC has also activated its “Operation Semana Santa”, which involves the coordination of several government agencies, among them the DOTC, DILG, Department of Health, Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

The police will be deploying road safety marshals along main roads and set up assistance desks in crowded places. Authorities will also put up help desks in different parts of the country to help passengers. PND (as)