Police advise public: Be calm, vigilant

CEBU, Philippines - In view of the leaked document circulating on social media about the planned terrorist attacks on June 30, the police hierarchy cautions the public to remain calm, but vigilant.

Police Regional Office (PRO)-7 Spokesperson and Public Information Officer Senior Inspector Reslyn Abella told reporters yesterday that they are now validating the veracity of the document and the purported intelligence information in it.

Abella said the police organization does not publicize documents containing information meant only for the directors or the addressee, so as not to cause undue panic.

“Ang mga ingon ana nga memo restricted na siya, especially if the nature of the content is confidential. Dili siya (document) for dissemination for the pubic or other audiences,” said Abella.

The document dated June 18 that circulated on Facebook this week was marked with the seals of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Aviation Security Group, and served as an advanced copy for the directors.

It disclosed a series of terror attacks by the Maute and the Bangsamoro Islamic Federation Front (BIFF) groups.

The document stated, “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," targeting converging points, such as churches, shopping malls, and populated areas.

“Pag naa’y mugawas nga memorandum, ang una checkon ang legitimacy sa memo, it’s for validation pa.  Mas una pa mogawas sa social media, ang ato lang ani is to reiterate of course, sa atong hanay, (that) there are certain documents that should not be  publicized, especially (if) it’s still for validation, kay maka-create man ni siya og undue panic,” said Abella.

Accountability for leaking document

Abella, however, added they will not discount the possibility that cops may be responsible for the leak of the document.

She said cops who may have posted a photo of the memo on social media without clearance from direct superiors will be charged with administrative cases and will be relieved from post.

However, it is also a possibility that it was a fake document made by rebel groups to sow fear and panic to the public.

As part of their security preventive measures, the police have maintained full alert status for the whole region.

Abella said the unit commanders down to police station levels are tasked to fortify their respective areas of responsibility and maintain full coordination with police directors.

In the document, it stated, "petroleum trucks, LPG delivery trucks will be hijacked and will be used as vehicle bombs."

For his part, City Councilor David Tumulak, who heads the City Council’s committee on public order and safety and the deputy mayor over police matters, has asked 123 gasoline stations, fuel companies and distributors to come up with contingency security measures to prevent the unverified plan of the terrorists to hijack and use petroleum and LPG vehicles as vehicle bombs.

Full-alert status

Abella reminded the public that even without the presence of the document, police are already in full alert status.

This after two successive terrorist attacks – one in Bohol where government forces clashed with Abu Sayyaf armed group last April and the Marawi siege – happened in a span of just about a month.  — Mae Clydyl L. Avila and Odessa O. Leyson (FREEMAN)