NCRPO lowers alert level status

MANILA, Philippines — Following the declaration by the Philippine National Police of the Jolo twin blasts as “case solved,” the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) on Thursday downgraded its alert level status from full alert to heightened alert status.

“The difference between the two status levels is really minimal. There may be less checkpoint frequencies but the mobilization of our police personnel and resources in the Metropolis continues. Our intelligence plans, strategies and efforts to detect terrorist personalities continue,” said NCRPO chief Director Guillermo Eleazar in a statement.

Despite the downgrading of the alert status, Eleazar said the NCRPO will not be relaxing its guard against possible threats.

“While the Jolo bombing case has been solved, we cannot relax our guard. From this sad experience, we have learned that terrorist threat is lurking over the country and can be triggered anytime, anywhere,” he said.

Eleazar said Metro Manila is a center of commerce and home to different government agencies and is “always a possible target of terrorists.”

“That is why your police force has to be alert and vigilant twenty four-seven,” he said.   /muf