By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan
MANILA – Despite the absence of any threat related to the Middle East conflict, the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday said it remains on alert amid fears of possible spillover of violence.
“We have not detected a credible threat but our personnel remain vigilant and proactive,” PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said in a press briefing Monday.
“The situation is being monitored and we are in close coordination with other government agencies on this matter,” he added.
Nartatez said intelligence units are “actively monitoring” potential spillover effects, including terror threats and radicalization.
“We are working closely with the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) and other intelligence partners. May coordination tayo to (We have coordination) ensure early detection of any emerging threat,” he said.
Tensions in the Middle East rose over the weekend after coordinated strikes by the United States and Israel on Iranian-linked targets, aimed at deterring regional aggression. Iran has vowed retaliation.
Nartatez said the conflict poses no direct danger to the Philippines but stressed the need to secure U.S. and Israeli VIPs in the country.
“Nandiyan ang US at Israel VIPs, the ambassadors, etc., and ‘yung establishments nila and their activities. So kailangan natin i-secure ‘yun (We have VIPs from the U.S. and Israel, the ambassadors, etc., and their establishments and their activities. So we need to secure them),” he said
Nartatez urged the public to remain calm and vigilant, and warned against the spread of disinformation related to the conflict. (PNA)
