THE PNP has gone on nationwide “full alert” status following the bombing of a passenger bus in South Cotabato that injured a tricycle driver, PNP officer-in-charge Lt. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr said yesterday.
“This (declaration of full alert status) is to prevent possible acts of terrorism that may occur, especially here in NCR (National Capital Region),” Danao said in a radio interview.
Nevertheless, Danao said the PNP has not received any information about a “serious threat” to security, referring to bombings that may be carried out elsewhere.
“As of now, we have not received (information) about serious threat to security, especially in NCR. But in the wake of the recent bus bombing in South Cotabato, we declared a nationwide full alert status,” said Danao.
“We have reports that it’s an act of terrorism. However, this information is yet to be validated,” said Danao, adding the information prompted the PNP to raise their alert status.
But Danao also said investigators are also looking into the angle of extortion. He said the bus company refused to heed an extortion demand that was sent before the attack.
On Tuesday, AFP Western Mindanao Command commander Lt. Gen. Alfredo Rosario Jr said the bombing on Thursday last week was perpetrated by members of the terrorist group Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).
Rosario said the BIFF bombed the bus to avenge their two members who died in a military operation on May 23 in Datu Salibo town in Maguindanao. The military said 17 other BIFF men, including BIFF leader Esmael Abdulmalik, alias Abu Turaife, were injured in the fighting.
On Monday, another bombing took place at a bus terminal in Isabela City in Basilan, injuring a security guard and a storekeeper. The military said the terrorist group Abu Sayyaf could be behind the blast.
Danao sought the understanding of people who may have been inconvenienced by stricter security measures that were implemented by the police in line with the declaration of full alert status. He said policemen are conducting random surprise inspections at bus terminals and train stations.
“If we are not carrying anything that is illegal, I am requesting our countrymen to just give in to the inspection to hasten (the inspection process),” he said.
Danao also appealed to the public to report to authorities if they see “suspicious persons,” especially those who are carrying bags and boxes.
Basilan Bishop Leo Dalmao asked Basileños to stay united in pushing for peace as he said the bombings “shook the city residents with fear after relatively many years of living and enjoying peace.”
“I ask each one to continue on supporting all efforts to live in a peaceful environment and work together to sustain peace,” he said.
He asked the perpetrators of violence “to stop and instead join the government, civil, and religious leaders in pursuing peace and development for all people of good will.” — With Gerard Naval
