Duterte warns public places could be targeted by terrorists

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, in his speech during the inauguration of the new Communications, Navigation, Surveillance / Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) Systems Development Project at the Philippine Air Traffic Management Center (PATMC) in Pasay City on January 16, 2018, announces that he will conduct a review on the various public works projects that have remained unfinished citing that he may terminate the contractors and find new ones who will get the job done. SIMEON CELI JR./PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA— Despite the continuous effort of the Philippine government to suppress growing terrorism in the country, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has issued a warning that the nation is now facing imminent threats of terror attacks that are “coming very fast.”

Duterte gave the warning shortly after he inaugurated a new air traffic management system in Manila on Tuesday.

The Chief executive said that he would call for an emergency meeting with security officials to discuss the government’s defense against terror threats.

“I’m also reminded of the serious threat now but I hope that you have to raise the awareness not only the senses of – and maybe just it’s good to anticipate that there’s gonna be one in the coming days about terrorism,” Duterte said during the launch of a new air traffic management system in Pasay City last Tuesday.

Duterte said that airports, port, and parks are the places that could be targeted by terrorists.

“They’d like to blow up our people convergence and also converge in airports, pier, park because of what happened in the Mindanao provinces today. As I have said, we have the threat remaining,” he said.

Duterte then gave a forceful order to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to be more vigilant in the matter of security against terrorism.

“My guidance to the security forces, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police, is that in this matter of security against terrorism, it will be no quarters asked, no quarters given,” he added.

The Philippine has been battered with terrorism last year, including the attack of the Isis-inspired Maute group and the intensified operation of the New People’s Army around the Mindanao region.

The Congress also approved the extension of Martial Law and suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus in the entire Mindanao after receiving recommendation from the president.

The chief executive cited in his letter of recommendation that the continuous threat of terrorism and rebellion in the Mindanao makes the region “the hotbed of rebellion.”