CV on alert amid Quiapo bombing

CEBU, Philippines - Police Regional Office–7 has raised its alert status to ensure public safety following a bombing incident in Quiapo, Manila Friday evening.

 Chief Superintendent Noli Taliño, PRO-7 director, however, assured that the region is safe.

“So far, wala namang threat sa Central Visayas because of our security preparations,” Taliño said.

Nevertheless, he ordered all city and provincial police directors to reassess their security measures, especially on vital installations. Taliño also directed all field commanders to intensify intelligence information gathering and enhance target-hardening measures.

He encouraged constant coordination with local government units and their counterparts in the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Taliño said he conducted inspections in several municipal police stations to check how prepared are they to respond to terror threats.

Taliño ordered the station commanders to constantly monitor and conduct inventory of their firearms and supply of ammunition.

“Yun ang ating mga supervisors, at inspectors, mag-conduct ng inventory, inspection doon sa mga police station para makita nila ang security system na ginagawa,” Taliño said.

Taliño warned the policemen that they will be facing charges if they fail to repel attacks from lawless elements.

“Hindi pwede hindi lumaban ang pulis, kaya yung mga police station na inatake o na overrun may mga kaso yan. Dapat naka ready ang police station natin, may bantay lagi,” Taliño said.

A bomb exploded along Quezon Boulevard in Quiapo, Manila last Friday amid the country’s hosting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit. (FREEMAN)