PNP probing leak of memo on bomb-carrying vehicles at ports

PNP spokesman Chief Supt. Dionardo Carlos. JULLIANE LOVE DE JESUS/INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has declined to confirm reports about several vehicles carrying explosives from Mindanao attempting to enter seaports.

But it said it would investigate who leaked the information from a confidential memorandum issued by the PNP Maritime Group (MG)’s Zamboanga del Norte station to the operation manager of shipping lines in the province.

“The PNP Maritime Group is backtracking and investigating this alleged memorandum issued by a maritime station,” PNP spokesperson Chief Supt. Dionardo Carlos said in a press briefing on Tuesday.

“Hayaan po natin munang matukoy ‘yung originator (Let’s find out the originator first) and how this alleged memo circulated or spread through social media. They’re doing something about this already. They’re waiting for the results,” Carlos said.

Chief Supt. Marcelo Morales, MG director, told the media that the memorandum was legitimate.

“The memorandum is legitimate but the information is unverified,” Morales said.

The police official said the memorandum was created to alert ports and shipping lines in Zamboanga del Norte but it was not supposed to be disseminated to the public so as not to cause alarm.

But as to who among their personnel leaked the document, Morales said they have yet to investigate.

Over the weekend, a photo of the memorandum dated June 2, 2017 circulated on social media.

The memo listed seven vehicles, including one driven by a certain Mohammad Romato, under watch as these are “known to be carrying IED (improvised explosive devices).”

The vehicles are “possibly going to exit on Ro-Ro and port terminals,” the memo said.

“Please be advised of the said vehicles. In case of information, please contact the hotlines 09173047703 and 09060632578,” it added.

The document was signed by SPO4 Allan Pestañas from the 904th Maritime Police Station Zamboanga del Norte.

“Kung totoo ito, titingnan natin if this is an information guide to a particular stakeholder to assist the originator or the unit. Hindi siya intended for circulation or sharing,” Carlos said.

(If this is true, let’s see if this is an information guide to a particular stakeholder to assist the originator or the unit. It’s not intended for circulation or sharing.) JE/rga