PH not under terror alert, says Esperon

Esperon

The country’s national security adviser on Thursday clarified that the entire Philippines was not under a terror alert.

National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. issued the clarification after Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa said the entire country has been placed under terror alert level 3.

READ: PH on alert level 3 for possible terror attack—PNP

Dela Rosa said it was a warning that a deadly terror attack is imminent “within a short period of time.”

But Esperon said only the provinces of Davao, Cotabato and Zamboanga are under a terror alert.

He said it was still being validated if Metro Manila would be placed under a terror alert.

Esperon said the PNP is under a nationwide full alert in time for the Christmas season and possible demonstrations.

“The declaration is more on the protection of the people,” he told reporters.

In a statement, Communications Secretary Martin Andanar assured the public that there would be “no disruption in their normal lives” despite tightened security level in the country.

“We assure the public that there will be no disruption in their normal lives even if we have raised our security level in the same vein that there was no change in the way they live, work, or conduct business now that the country is under state of national emergency on the account of lawless violence,” he said. TVJ