NCR cops to focus on checkpoints amid US travel advisory

Police in Metro Manila on Thursday allayed fears of terrorist attacks in the metropolis following a United States travel warning against of such attacks in Mindanao. But Metro Manila police head Chief Superintendent Allan Purisima said his men will remain on heightened alert and will continue target-hardening activities to prepare for any eventuality. “Actually dito sa Metro Manila nagbaba tayo ng alert status from full alert sa panahon ng pagpasukan. Ngayon, naka-heightened alert tayo. Pero dito sa pagko-conduct ng checkpoints and other security measures pinaigting natin ang mga ito, di natin binabalewala ang information from the advisory," Purisima said in an interview on dzXL radio. For now, he said police will continue guarding the Metro and Light Rail Transit (MRT/LRT) systems, and maintain its patrols of malls and places of convergence. So far, he said the police have not received any intelligence report indicating a possible terrorist attack in Metro Manila. “But, we are not discounting advisories of other countries," he said. In the meantime, Purisima said the Metro Manila police is coordinating with other intelligence agencies. “Tuloy ang ginagawa natin at di natin binibitawan ang security measures," he added. On Wednesday, the US issued a travel warning on the Philippines, citing risks of terrorist activity particularly in the Sulu archipelago and in Mindanao. In its updated travel warning, the US Department of State said terrorist attacks could be indiscriminate and could occur in other areas, to include Manila. “Targeted sites may be public gathering places including, but not limited to, airports, shopping malls, conference centers, and other public venues," it said. It said travelers should exercise extreme caution if traveling to Mindanao or the Sulu Archipelago as regional terrorist groups have carried out bombings resulting in injuries and death. — LBG, GMA News