Palace urges public to be vigilant amid terror attacks

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang yesterday called on the public to support the efforts against terrorism in the wake of attacks in Paris and Mali and the beheading of a Malaysian national in Sulu.

Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said the public should heed the warnings and advisories of the government and avoid going to areas frequented by terrorists.

“You know, terrorism knows no borders now, and therefore we need to cooperate with whatever advisories the government would put out,” Lacierda told state-run radio station dzRB.

“If there are suspicious items, let’s report it to the proper authorities. We would ask everyone to cooperate and to be vigilant. That is our contribution to our fight against terrorism,” he added.

Lacierda’s appeal came on the heels of the simultaneous terrorist attacks in Paris that left 130 people dead and the hotel raid in Mali that claimed at least 21 lives.

The statement was also issued barely a week after Abu Sayyaf beheaded Malaysian Bernard Ghen Ted Fen in Indanan, Sulu after his family failed to comply with the bandits’ demands.

The execution happened while the Philippines was hosting the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, which was attended by leaders and delegates from 21 countries.