The Philippine National Police (PNP) has been placed on heightened alert in response to potential spillover effects from ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
During a press briefing at Camp Crame, PNP Chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said Monday. stressed that, while there is currently no direct threat to the country’s national security, the police force is taking precautionary measures to ensure public safety, as reported by RH Edniel Parrosa.
“Orders to the different commanders whether my personal staff my director or the National Support units with the admins team operational all units and this is a back-up by directive coming from our DCO particularly through the directory of intelligence,” he said.
The country’s security sector assesses that the Philippines’ national security remains ”stable” despite the ongoing turmoil in the Middle East.
Authorities also remind the public to remain vigilant against possible disinformation, especially on social media.
The PNP will also monitor the security of foreign diplomats, including ambassadors from the United States and Israel.
Nartatez noted that part of the monitoring includes potential radicalization and terror threats that could affect internal security.
The heightened alert also extends to strategic sites such as the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) facilities, which some fear could be targets of attacks against the U.S.
Coordination with the PNP Intelligence Group and the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency is ongoing to preempt foreign-influenced propaganda that might spread online. Nartatez clarified, however, that no credible threats have been detected so far.
“Huwag dapat mabahala ang ating mga kababayan para sa mga ganyang nangyayari. We are still on guard” he added.
The move follows a statement from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) after Iran launched missiles against U.S. military positions in the Gulf States, reportedly in retaliation for a U.S.-Israel attack last Saturday, February 28.
Meanwhile, the AFP and the Department of National Defense (DND) remain on alert in case mandatory repatriation of Filipino nationals becomes necessary.
Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac assured the public in a DZRH interview that contingency plans are in place, despite airspace closures in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Israel.
“Hindi pa ito ang tamang oras, but we are always ready. We are well coordinated with private and public transport in terms of pagpapauwi…By land, by sea ang options natin,” Cacdac said.
