PH still on high alert after Belgium, Iraq bombings—Palace

A Palace official on Sunday assured the public that security measures are still in place amid terror threats abroad following multiple bombings in Belgium and Iraq last week.

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said that the country is on high security alert following the bombings abroad.

“Sa lahat ng pagkakataon ang pangunahing isinasaalang-alang ng pamahalaan ay ang seguridad at pangkalahatang kaligtasan ng ating mga mamamayan,  lalo’t higit sa kanilang paglalakbay pabalik sa kani-kanilang mga tahanan pagkatapos ng Semana Santa, nanatiling maagap at mataas ang antas ng kahandaan ng pamahalaan sa pagtugon sa ano mang banta sa ating pambansang seguridad,” Coloma said in an interview over state-run radio dzRB.

(The government’s priority is the security and over-all safety of Filipinos, especially those who are returning to their homes after the Holy Week. The government’s preparedness on responding to any threat in our national security remains high.)

Some of the security measures which were beefed up last week in light of the bombings in the Belgian capital of Brussels include vehicle inspection at the entrances of ports, terminals, and airports, as well as x-ray scanning and inspection of hand-carried items.

Coloma said that government agencies are in close coordination with each other to ensure the safety of its citizens.

“Patuloy na pinagtutulungan ng lahat ng ahensya ng pamahalaan upang higit pang mapatatag ang mga umiiral na security protocols sa lahat ng points of entry sa bansa upang tiyakin ang katiwasayan at kapayapaan ng ating mga mamamayan,” he added.

(All government agencies are helping each other to strengthen existing security protocols in all points of entry in the country to ensure the safety of our citizens.)

At least 31 people died following the multiple blasts which rocked Brussels last week. Meanwhile, at least 41 people died after a small stadium in the city of Iskanderiyah was bombed by a suicide bomber. Both attacks were claimed by the Islamic state group. JE

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