NCRPO downplays talk of suicide bombing

Reports of a plan by four Muslim women to stage a suicide bombing in Metro Manila have yet to be confirmed, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said yesterday.

Chief Superintendent Oscar Albayalde, NCRPO director, said the report was not “A-1 information” and was only relayed to police stations for validation.

He advised residents to continue with their daily routine, like going to malls, since police officers are on top of the peace and order situation.

“It is our standard operating procedure to validate this kind of report that should not have been made public,” the NCRPO chief emphasized, admitting that it contributed to the impression that all is not well in Metro Manila due to bomb attack in Davao City last Friday.

Since the bombing, the NCRPO has been conducting checkpoint operations to prevent terrorist groups from sneaking bombs into Metro Manila.

Albayalde led inspections of malls and bus terminals in Quezon City yesterday.

“So far, so good and the peace and order situation in Metro Manila is peaceful and orderly. But we are not lowering our guard and advised security personnel to frisk all those entering their establishments, including their personal belongings, as a precautionary measure,” said Albayalde.

Aside from the checkpoint operations, the NCRPO chief also fielded plainclothes policemen in buses, Light Rail Transit, Metro Rail Transit and outside and inside malls and commercial centers to prevent terrorists from striking.

Albayalde also directed the NCRPO’s five police district directors and 38 station commanders to coordinate with Muslim communities in their area to prevent terrorists from using their neighborhood as a sanctuary.