PNP heightens alert in Metro Manila after recent Mindanao bombings

POLICE PROBE A police bomb squad member inspects a passenger bus hit by an explosion in front of a mall in Koronadal City, South Cotabato, on Thursday. —JEOFFREY MAITEM

MANILA, Philippines — Security within Metro Manila has been ordered heightened after two recent bombing incidents in Mindanao, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief said.

According to NCRPO regional director Maj. Gen. Felipe Natividad, he has ordered a stringent implementation of security measures and increased visibility across Metro Manila following the bus bombing in Koronadal, South Cotabato and another blast at the bus terminal in Tacurong, Sultan Kudarat.

Philippine National Police (PNP) officer-in-charge Lt. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr. said earlier that investigators are looking at extortion racket as a possible motive for targeting the bus liner.

“I call on the public not to be alarmed nor should to panic instead remain calm and vigilant. I also encourage everyone to be highly alert and report any suspicious person or behavior, report any unfamiliar face in the neighborhood to the barangay or nearest police station,” Natividad said in a statement.

“All acts of terrorism against people of any religion, race or creed, are crimes against humanity. And are always a threat to any nation’s security,” he added.

READ: Bus bombing in Koronadal came after extortion attempt on liner — Danao 

Natividad assured Metro Manila residents that the full capability of the police would be used to ensure safety in the capital region, which is arguably the busiest area in the country.

“In regards to this, we will be utilizing all of our resources in NCRPO to the maximum and heightened efforts to ensure safety and security of each and every resident of Metro Manila,” he noted

NCRPO said that people may report incidents or tips by texting their Text Hotline Numbers 0999-901-8181 and 0915-888-8181.

During his briefing on Monday, Danao revealed that the owners of the bus that was bombed in Koronadal were subjected to extortion attempts from a particular group.

However, he also said that they have received reports indicating that the bombing may have been a terrorist attack, although such information is still being validated.

A Special Investigation Task Group was formed last week to investigate the twin bombing incidents.

RELATED STORIES:

Blast hits passenger bus in Koronadal City, 2 hurt 

PNP forms task group to probe bus bombing in Koronadal 

JPV