Police declare heightened alert in Metro after blast

(Updated 4:13 p.m.) The National Police on Friday ordered its men to be on heightened alert after an explosion killed at least six people and injured over 70 others in Makati City. Director General Avelino Razon Jr, National Police chief, ordered increased police visibility all over Metro Manila as he called for a command conference in Camp Crame Friday afternoon. Meanwhile, Makati City Councilor Jejomar Erwin "Junjun" Binay said that as of 3:50 p.m., eight people have been confirmed killed while 70 others were wounded in the blast that rocked the Glorietta 2 mall in the city. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo expressed deep sorrow over the powerful blast which rocked the shopping mall. "The President is deeply saddened by this incident and extends her sympathies to the families of the casualties," said Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye. He added: "The President has ordered the DSWD to extend all possible assistance to the victims to mitigate their suffering." "She has also ordered the PNP to get to the bottom of things and to leave no stone unturned," Bunye added. The President had just come from Tuguegarao City and was monitoring the situation from Malacañang Palace as of posting time, radio dzBB reported. Despite the explosion, the Presidential Security Group said it would not immediately increase its security detail to President Arroyo. "Not necessarily but our guards will have to be more alert and focussed," said Brig. Gen. Romeo Prestoza, PSG commander. Prestoza added that his unit would have to assess the situation first before raising any alert level. - GMANews.TV