NCRPO on full alert status in wake of Jolo church blasts

FILE: The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) is on full alert status after an explosion at a church in Jolo, Sulu that left 20 people dead and 112 wounded. To deter crime, more checkpoints would be set up in Metro Manila and police visibility would be increased. (Photo courtesy of NCRPO PIO via PNA)

MANILA — The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) announced on Monday that it is on full alert status after the explosion that took place inside and outside a Roman Catholic church in Jolo, Sulu province that left 20 people dead and 112 wounded.

NCRPO head, Director Guillermo Eleazar ordered the five district directors to tighten security around airports, seaports, vital government and private installations as well as places of convergence.

The five districts covered by the NCRPO are the Manila Police District (MPD), Quezon City Police District (QCPD), Northern Police District (NPD), Southern Police District (SPD), and Eastern Police District (EPD).

“We are full alert since 6 a.m. No cause for panic we want to make sure so we intensify checkpoint operations at entry and exit points of Metro Manila to prevent terrorists from sneaking in bombs,” Eleazar told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) in a phone interview.

Full alert means the highest level of readiness in all police offices and units in Metro Manila.

Eleazar said the public should expect more checkpoints and police visibility.

“In the next few weeks or so, we will increase the number and frequency of our checkpoints including our ‘oplan sita’. We will deploy our policemen and women in strategic areas of Metro Manila to increase police presence and visibility, in order to discourage, prevent and deter any evil plots from unfolding,” he added.

Eleazar personally checked the vital installations in Metro Manila as well the checkpoints in metropolis on Monday.

Eleazar also appealed to the public to be alert and report to the police any suspicious person or behavior.

“I encourage you to remain alert and vigilant. Report any suspicious person or behavior, report any new or unfamiliar face in the neighborhood to the nearest policeman you can reach or communicate with personally or through our hotlines,” he said.