Document on terror attacks: Cops probe leaked info

CEBU, Philippines - Police yesterday assured the public they are on top of the situation following a leaked document that said two attacks from rebel groups in key cities, Cebu included, will be launched on June 30.

The document, dated June 18, has the seals of the Philippine National Police and the Aviation Security Group but does not bear the signature of Police Supt. Rudecindo Reales, the director of the ASG.

Senior Supt. Jonathan Cabal, chief of the Regional Intelligence Division of the Police Regional Office (PRO) - 7, said they are checking the credibility of the document.

“I cannot confirm nor deny just like what he had in Bohol. We did receive information and we validated it silently. It is the job of the intelligence. The intel unit of PRO7 and, of course, yung ating AFP counterparts, are on top of the situation. Hindi naman pwede na pabayaan natin to," Cabal said.

He assured that authorities are not sitting back.

“We work silently so we don’t want the public to be alarmed or anything. I am not saying totoo yun. We have to validate the information. That’s the role of the intelligence - to validate information. Rest assured na once ma-validate yun, police action will definitely ensue,” he said.

Document

The leak document, reportedly an advance copy for the directors, says the Maute rebel group and the Bangsamoro Islamic Federation Front (BIFF) Group will stage the attacks.

It reads:

“The information received from a reliable source disclosed that joint ISIS MAUTE and BIFF terror groups will launch a major terroristic attack over key cities nationwide on June 30" and that “petroleum trucks, LPG delivery trucks will be hijacked and will be used as vehicle bombs."

The terror attacks will reportedly target converging points such as churches, shopping malls, and populated areas.

The document specified that "a Maute special unit who graduated last November from explosive training had already been in placed at their respective targets nationwide to simultaneously execute the said attack during the Friday prayer ‘JUMAAH,’ mosque will not be spared."

It directed police units to intensify intelligence monitoring, coordinate with intelligence counterparts to gather related information, and to preempt further terroristic attack.

The document is already the second to be issued of the same nature, but the other one dated June 16 included attacks specifically directed to the National Capital Region (NCR) by the Maute group alone.

Measures

With the leaked document saying that “petroleum trucks, LPG delivery trucks will be hijacked and will be used as vehicle bombs,” the Department of Energy (DOE) will ask gasoline stations and fuel companies here to strengthen their security.

The DOE agreed to issue a memorandum to this affect and meet with the gasoline station owners following a meeting with Cebu City Councilor David Tumulak, deputy mayor for police matters and chairman of the City Council’s committee on public order and safety.

There are 123 gasoline stations in the city alone.

Tumulak said they have also asked fuel companies and distributors to provide authorities their schedules of delivery so that law enforcers can monitor.

He suggested that all drivers and truck loaders of fuel tankers must have the hotline numbers of the Cebu City Central Command and for gasoline stations to have guards.

He said he has asked barangay tanods to monitor gasoline stations in the city on a daily basis.

“Maong atong ipa-roving og apil sa kapolisan ug sa mga tanod ang gasoline stations kay mao man ni ang vital installations of bombs… taas og probability nga didto,” Tumulak said.

“Wa ta moingon nga tinood to (unverified reports) but the Philippine National Police should also empower our residents to be cautious and vigilant at all times,” he added. (FREEMAN)