The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Regional Director Roberto Rosales on Friday ordered all district directors and chiefs of police to strengthen security in and around Metro Manila to ensure that law and order is maintained and no violence will spillover in the metropolis as possible repercussion of the Maguindanao killings.

Rosales came out with the directive as the prime suspect in the incident, Datu Unsay Maguindanao Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr., was brought to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) headquarters on Taft Avenue, Manila for detention last Thursday night.

He instructed Manila Police District Director Chief Supt. Rodolfo Magtibay to coordinate with National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Nestor Mantarin for any security augmentation that their agency might need in relation with the detention of Ampatuan Jr.

Magtibay was also tasked to increase the mobile and beat patrol and to put up several checkpoints around the NBI headquarters so as to ensure the security in the area.

The MPD was also asked to put the Special and Weapons Tactics (SWAT) unit on a 24-hour standby for immediate deployment.

Rosales also asked all district directors to closely coordinate with leaders of all Muslim communities in Metro Manila in order to obtain information within their groups and to solicit their recommendations on how to prevent violent and criminal activities in their communities.

He said that all Muslim leaders in Metro Manila condemned the killings in Maguindanao that included women and members of the media.

The NCRPO chief also warned individuals and groups who plan to sow violent activities in Metro Manila in sympathy with the suspect or victims, or those who might want to take advantage of the intense situation brought about by the Maguindanao killings to abandon their plans or face the full force of the law.

Rosales said that the presence of armed men will be dealt with prejudice as the last and final gun amnesty nears its deadline on November 30, 2009.

“After the deadline, we shall start with our search and seizure operations and our checkpoints will be increased so that we can already account all loose firearms in Metro Manila and make violators face prosecution.

They cannot escape us, we will have the list from the PNP Firearms and Explosive Office (FEO) of those lawful possessors of gun license and authorized Permit to Carry Firearm Outside Residence (PTCFOR),” Rosales added.