No terror threat in Metro, says AFP; bomb text a hoax

The Armed Forces of the Philippines has assured the public there is no terror threat in Metro Manila following a circulating text message about an alleged plot to bomb malls.

“We will continue supporting the law enforcement agencies in the conduct of investigation,” AFP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Joselito Kakilala said on Tuesday. “We will continue assisting them in monitoring this report and we will also preempt any armed threat against our people.”

An SMS message going around quoting an SM Malls officer has said the bandit group Abu Sayyaf is planning to bomb SM North in Quezon City and Southmall in Las Piñas City.

The message allegedly read: “Hi guys! Just an update, we just got a call from Abu Sayyaf right now asking SM for $15 million dollors ha! If not papasabugin daw ang mall we have 1 week to do that so hight alert kami now. Tell your friends and co-workers NOT to go to SM North Edsa and Southmall for a week muna. Just for precautionary measures. Better be safe than sorry. Better avoid any SM branch for the mean time. Even if they are doing close security after receiving the call this morning [sic].”

“Please don’t post on your Facebok walls as per request of the officers. But do inform relatives and friends [sic],” it added.

In a statement released on Facebook, SM Supermalls has denied such text message.

“We are requesting the authorities to verify the source of the information circulating as said information was not released by any SM officer,” it said. RC