NBI sets up hotline to receive terrorism tips

The National Bureau of Investigation has set up a telephone hotline number — 524-9602 — to receive tips on terrorism threats. Amid warnings from other countries about possible terror attacks in the Philippines, NBI Anti-Terrorism Unit head lawyer Rosauro Bautista said the hotline will be open 24/7 to receive tips. "Kami ay 24/7, yan ang aming mandato. Lagi kaming nakaalerto. Gusto namin kung may mangyari handa kami at magaksyon agad," Bautista said in an interview on dzBB radio. (We will keep that line open 24/7. Our mandate is to be alert always. We need the tips from concerned citizens so we can respond to any incident quickly.) He appealed to citizens to be alert for suspicious people or groups that may appear to be acting suspiciously. At least five countries have tagged the Philippines as a potential terrorist target, nearly a week after a foiled terrorist attack on the United States. The Philippines had been tagged a potential target in travel advisories of the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and New Zealand. "Papakiusap namin sa ating kababayan ... lahat mag-iingat at magmamatyag (We ask our citizens to be always alert and vigilant)," Bautista said. Travel advisory The US issued on Wednesday (Manila time) a warning against traveling to the Philippines due to “high risk" of terrorist activity not only in Mindanao but also in Manila. “Terrorist attacks could be indiscriminate and could occur not only in the southern islands but also in other areas, to include Manila," the US’ travel warning read. New Zealand travelers were also advised on Wednesday (Manila time) of “extreme risk" of traveling to the Philippines, particularly in the southern provinces of Basilan and Sulu. The US’ and New Zealand’s travel warnings came days after three other countries – Australia, United Kingdom and Canada – issued similar travel advisories to their nationals, following the foiled terror attack on the US. Eduardo Malaya, spokesman of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), said the government understands the "need of foreign embassies to issue travel advisories for their respective nationals." In a statement issued on Wednesday, Malaya said: "They have an obligation to look after the safety and security of their nationals here, in the same way that our Philippine diplomats look after the security and welfare of Filipinos overseas." "Our expectation is that whenever foreign embassies have intelligence information about any terrorist threat which may be useful to our security agencies, they will convey it to our side in a timely manner. We have been informed that such has been done recently," he added. "These reports and advisories need to be seen in perspective, as most are re-issuance of previous travel advisories. It is best to exercise care and caution, but there is no need to overreact," Malaya said. – VVP/HS, GMANews.TV