PNP places units in Luzon, Visayas on high alert

Police units in Luzon and the Visayas have been placed on heightened alert to prevent possible retaliatory attacks by the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf group following the death of one of its leaders in an encounter with government forces in Sulu over the weekend. The heightened alert status took effect Tuesday noon. The Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) have already raised their alert levels to the highest status in Mindanao following the killing of Gafur Jumdail, brother of Abu Sayyaf leader Gumbahali Jumdail a.k.a. Dr. Abu, and two of his men in Maimbung town last Saturday. PNP chief Director General Jesus Verzosa said he had ordered all PNP units to increase vigilance and security of all vital installations, including airports, seaports, churches, public and other places of convergence that would be possible targets of terrorist actions. “The PNP will also intensify its intelligence and preemptive actions to counter and prevent any more incidents," he said. PNP spokesman Senior Superintendent Agrimero Cruz, Jr. said they haven’t received any information that the Abu Sayyaf, responsible for bombing attacks in the past, is planning to strike in Luzon and the Visayas. He said the raising of the alert level was just part of the security measures to ensure that all vital installations in Metro Manila and other key urban areas across the country are secured. “Rest assured that the PNP will remain vigilant in light of the events that have transpired particularly the encounter in Mindanao. The public safety will be our main priority at this point," said Cruz. - KBK/RSJ, GMANews.TV