PNP remains on full alert nationwide

The Philippine National Police (PNP) remains on full alert even if there is no specific terror threat in Metro Manila at the moment, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Oscar Albayalde said on Wednesday. (Photo: Philippine National Police/ Facebook)

MANILA—The Philippine National Police (PNP) remains on full alert even if there is no specific terror threat in Metro Manila at the moment, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Oscar Albayalde said on Wednesday.

Albayalde added that the NCRPO is on full alert, noting that security forces in Metro Manila are now in place.

“There are changes in security protocols in the coming days, more checkpoints, police visibility in the streets, increased inspections,” he said.

As a precautionary measure, the NCRPO has fielded additional policemen to secure Light Rail Transit (LRT) and Metro Rail Transit (MRT) stations, malls and other converging areas in Metro Manila following the attack of the Maute terrorist group in Marawi City on Tuesday.

Albayalde said that this is just a security precaution, even if no “clear and present danger” from a potential terrorist attack has been monitored in Metro Manila.

He added that any terrorist action taking place elsewhere in the country or the world, cannot be taken lightly, which is why the NCRPO has been placed on full alert status following the encounter in Marawi City and the bombing incident at the Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, England.

Albayalde said that the NCRPO will also be conducting mobile checkpoints or “Oplan sita” in various areas of Metro Manila.

Despite these security precautions, the NCRPO chief assured that Metro Manilans have no reason to be alarmed as the PNP is focused on ensuring the public’s safety from any threat.

Likewise, Albayalde asked the public to remain vigilant and report to authorities any suspicious activity in their neighborhood.