Manila conducts major security exercise: officials
On alert: Soldiers standing atop armoured vehicles during an inspection of troops at the military headquarters in Manila yesterday. Picture: AFP
Saturday, November 29, 2008
TROOPS and police in the Phillipine capital have been placed on full alert as part of a major security exercise following civil unrest in Bangkok and terrorist attacks in Mumbai, officials said yesterday.
The country's police force has been placed on maximum alert while two battalions of combat troops moved into the capital yesterday.
The country's military chief General Alexander Yano said that while there was "no specific threat" the exercise was being carried out as part of contingency plans.
"It is a routine inventory or accounting of our troops to evaluate their readiness," Yano told reporters after addressing troops assembled at the military headquarters in Manila.
"This is a routine activity and as preparation for any contingency situation that may arise not only now but in the future in the national capital region," he added. Yano said that while terrorist attacks in the Indian financial capital of Mumbai did not have any direct impact on the Philippines, "crimes such as these are transnational in nature, meaning they do not respect the political boundaries of any country".
While there are no known similar threats in Manila, "it is better that we are prepared, not only physically but our mind should also be conditioned to face any contingency situation that may arise ", Yano said.
Police chief Jesus Verzosa had "directed all police units to continuously monitor the movement and activities of domestic threat groups operating in the country".
AFP
The country's police force has been placed on maximum alert while two battalions of combat troops moved into the capital yesterday.
The country's military chief General Alexander Yano said that while there was "no specific threat" the exercise was being carried out as part of contingency plans.
"It is a routine inventory or accounting of our troops to evaluate their readiness," Yano told reporters after addressing troops assembled at the military headquarters in Manila.
"This is a routine activity and as preparation for any contingency situation that may arise not only now but in the future in the national capital region," he added. Yano said that while terrorist attacks in the Indian financial capital of Mumbai did not have any direct impact on the Philippines, "crimes such as these are transnational in nature, meaning they do not respect the political boundaries of any country".
While there are no known similar threats in Manila, "it is better that we are prepared, not only physically but our mind should also be conditioned to face any contingency situation that may arise ", Yano said.
Police chief Jesus Verzosa had "directed all police units to continuously monitor the movement and activities of domestic threat groups operating in the country".
AFP
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