After killing of Iranian general, PNP ‘profiles’ possible threats

Lt. Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa, PNP officer-in-charge (OIC), said police is profiling possible threats of groups who may take advantage or sympathize with the killing of Qassem Soleimani. (File Photo: Philippine National Police/Facebook)

MANILA — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has intensified intelligence operations to foil any possible terror plans following the killing of an Iranian top general in a US airstrike in Baghdad.

Lt. Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa, PNP officer-in-charge (OIC), said police is profiling possible threats of groups who may take advantage or sympathize with the killing of Qassem Soleimani.

“Ang task lang naman ng PNP is local, bantayan namin (PNP’s task is local, to be alert) for any retaliatory action on other sectors of society who might be sympathetic to them but as of yet wala naman tayong ganun na threat sa Pilipinas (we don’t have such threat here),” Gamboa told reporters on Monday.

“The PNP is profiling possible threats, possible groups who may take advantage or sympathize so our intelligence monitoring will be continuous up until medyo luminaw na ‘yung problema doon sa Middle East (such time that the tension eases in the Middle East),” he added.

Soleimani, the head of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards’ elite Quds force, was killed in a US drone airstrike in Iraq on Friday.

His death marked an escalation of tensions between the US and Iran since US President Donald Trump chose to unilaterally withdraw Washington from a 2015 nuclear pact world powers struck with Tehran.

In the preparations for the upcoming Feast of the Black Nazarene on January 9, Gamboa said there are no threats monitored.

“Although we do not expect any serious security issue in this event, we will exercise utmost prudence and readiness in anticipation of perennial public safety scenarios associated with this annual event,” he said.

Gamboa said some adjustments would be implemented this year, including the procession route and security protocol.

“We appeal to the devotees and the public for their continued cooperation with authorities and organizers,” Gamboa said.