THE National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) has been placed under heightened alert following the bombing in Lamitan City, Basilan, that resulted in the killing of 10 people.
NCRPO Director Guillermo Eleazar said the upgrading of alert status in the National Capital Region (NCR) is intended to thwart any eventualities that may disrupt the public’s security and peace and order in the metropolis.
He said, though, that the NCR remains to be safe and secured, as they have not monitored any kind of threat.
"With what happened in Lamitan, Basilan, di ba nagkaroon ng explosion doon, syempre itong Metro Manila lagi dapat tayong handa, so dahil sa pangyayari na yun, we are upgrading our alert status para lang mas mapaghandaan natin. We don't want kung ano nangyari doon ay magkaroon ng spill over dito sa atin sa Metro Manila," he said.
"Wala tayong nare-receive na imminent threat dito pero maganda na handa tayo and we are constantly coordinating with the other agencies ng ating government sa intelligence community for monitoring kung mayroong mga threat tayo dito sa atin sa Metro Manila," he added.
Under heightened alert, 50 percent of the police forces will be available in police stations.
The police will also beef up the conduct of checkpoint operation and foot and mobile patrolling.
Eleazar also urged the public to be more vigilant and alert especially against suspicious people or things or packages in their surroundings.
“Tayo naman ay nananawagan sa ating mga kababayan na maging mas mapagmatyag at alerto and vigiliant para sa security measures ng ating kapaligiran kung may napapansin na suspicious, ipagbigay alam agad sa mga kapulisan,” he said.
On Tuesday, July 31, 10 people were killed when an IED placed inside a van exploded in a checkpoint in Lamitan City, Basilan.
READ: Abu Sayyaf, extortion eyed in Lamitan City bombing
Also on the same day, shortly before 12 noon, an IED exploded in the road side in Antipolo City in Rizal. Two were injured.
On Wednesday evening, August 1, an IED exploded at the Masbate City port.
READ: Bomb explodes in Masbate port
(SunStar Philippines)