Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada assured yesterday that the country’s capital is safe from any domestic and international terrorism amid following reports that extremist group Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) have entered the Philippines.
Estrada said the city government is exerting all efforts to protect the 1.7 million people living in the city.
“Manila is safe as far as I’m concerned,” said Estrada, following speculations that ISIS have entered the country, particularly in Mindanao which has been placed under martial law due to the ongoing clash between government troops and members of Maute terror group.
Asked if he personally believes that ISIS is already in the country, “We don’t know yet. We are not very sure,” he said.
“But remember, Manila is the capital city, ‘pag dito nangyari ‘yung sa Marawi, masisira ang Pilipinas na ‘to,” he said a day after declaring his support to the declaration of martial law in Mindanao.
Estrada said he has ordered Manila Police District (MPD) director Chief Supt. Joel Napoleon Coronel to utilize all the city police’s assets in protecting the city.
Various security measures and contingencies, some of which he cannot divulge for operational security, are being enforced throughout the city. (Analou de Vera)
