Palace: Enough security measures are in place to thwart terror attacks in the country

Philippine Army troopers (Facebook photo)

MANILA—Malacañang assured on Wednesday that sufficient security measures are being implemented in the country, especially following the bomb attacks in Belgium that left 34 people dead.

In an interview at the Palace, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said the government is strict in securing public places in the country.

“Ang ipinaiiral natin ay ang mga deterrents at detection measures tulad nga ng heightened visibility of uniformed personnel sa mga terminals at ang pagpapakita na ang ating sinusunod ay mga patakaran na magpapatatag sa seguridad ng mga transportation terminals,” he told reporters.

These security measures in airports and terminals, he said, include the inspection of people and vehicles, and X-ray scans of baggage, hand-carried items and cargoes.

“Hindi ito pangkaraniwang ginagawa sa ibang bansa at kahit hindi pa naganap ang pinakahuling terror attack sa Brussels, matagal nang ipinapatupad at pinapairal ang mga security measures na katulad ng ating nabanggit bilang pagpapatatag sa kasiguruhan ng seguridad ng ating mga mamamayan at ng mga naglalakbay sa loob ng ating bansa,” Secretary Coloma said.

The Palace official further quoted Philippine Ambassador to Belgium Victoria Bataclan as saying that no Filipino has been killed or injured during the terror attacks.

“Patuloy na tinututukan ni Ambassador Bataclan ang sitwasyon doon at sinabi naman niyang nasa maayos na kalagayan naman ang ating mga mamamayan at patuloy na sinusubaybayan ang mga kaganapan sa Brussels,” he added.

Coloma also advised Filipinos in Belgium to remain vigilant and heed the call of Belgian authorities if they have announcements.

According to news reports, two explosions were heard at the Brussels airport and another at a busy train station in the Belgian capital on Tuesday, killing 34 people and injuring about 250.

The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the coordinated bombing but Belgian authorities are still determining whether the terror group is behind the attacks.