MANILA, Philippines — Security forces in Metro Manila have been ordered to “intensify security efforts to thwart any attempts to sow terror” by Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista, who chairs the peace and order council of the National Capital Region.
A statement from Bautista’s office said the mayor reminded the Department of Interior and Local Government, National Capital Region Police Office and the Quezon City Police District that “we are still within the presidential declaration of state of lawlessness.”
Bautista’s instructions followed President Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration of martial law over Mindanao after fighting broke out between government forces and what authorities have described as local terrorists in Marawi City.
Duterte declared the country under a state of lawlessness following the September bombing in Davao City.
“As NCR RPOC Chair, (I’m directing you to) Please intensify security efforts (checkpoints, mobile patrols, etc) in NCR to abate criminality and terror acts. Note that we are still within the Presidential declaration of State of Lawlessness” Bautista’s message said.
