Christopher Lloyd Caliwan/Philippine News Agency
MANILA — The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) on Tuesday downgraded its status from full to heightened alert after validation and consultation with other law enforcement agencies and military units regarding the threat level within the NCR.
“Downgrading of the alert status in Metro Manila from full to heightened alert three days after the recent bombing incident in a military camp in Tanjung, Indanan, Sulu on June 28, 2019 that killed 5 people and wounded 9 others,” said NCRPO director, Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, in a message sent to reporters.
Eleazar, however, said that the mobilization of police personnel would continue as intelligence operations have been intensified to foil any possible terror plans and detect terrorist personalities.
“While the recent Jolo bombing case is being probed, we cannot (lower) our guard. Thus, all Unit and Station Commanders, are strictly reminded to continue to secure all PNP Headquarters and offices, vital installations, economic key points and places of convergence to guarantee that public safety concerns are checked and thoroughly supervised,” the Metro Manila top cop said.
Eleazar added that despite no monitored terrorist threat over Metro Manila, the police forces will remain pro-active and dedicated to the performance of duty, 24/7 to ensure public order and safety.
He said there is not much difference between full and heightened alert in Metro Manila.
“The difference between the two status levels is really minimal. There may be fewer checkpoint frequencies but the mobilization of our police personnel and resources in the Metropolis continues,” Eleazar told the Philippine News Agency.
He also reminded the public to remain alert and vigilant and report any incident or suspicious person to the nearest police station in their community.
“Public safety, peace, and order are always a joint responsibility of the community and the police. Without community support and participation, the police will not be as strong. The primary reason why we are enjoying success in the peace and order situation in Metro Manila is because of the surge of public participation in matters of peace and order, especially in the fight against criminality. That is why crime volume in Metro Manila continues to go down,” said Eleazar.
The NCRPO went on full alert following the June 28 blast that rocked the town of Indanan in Sulu, killing three soldiers and wounding nine others.
He said the NCRPO condoles with the families of the victims in the twin blasts that occurred near a temporary headquarters of the Philippine Army’s First Brigade Combat Team in Barangay Kajatian, Indanan town.
Meanwhile, Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday said the attack in Sulu last week could have been perpetrated by Filipino suicide bombers.
PNP chief, Gen. Oscar Albayalde, said the carrier of the first improvised explosive device (IED) could be a Filipino.
Albayalde, however, was quick to clarify that verification is still being conducted to confirm the report, noting that there is also a report that the suicide bombers are foreigners.
Albayalde said the PNP is working closely with the AFP to establish the circumstances surrounding this incident to possibly identify and make the perpetrators accountable so that the ends of justice may be served.
