Public cautioned against suspicious packages

MANILA, Philippines — Armed Forces chief Gen. Carlito Galvez yesterday alerted the public against the presence of suspicious packages amid the latest incidents in the United States where bombs placed in envelopes were sent to top officials perceived to be vocal against the policies of US President Donald Trump.

“I think it is possible here. It’s been there so I believe that we need to be vigilant, especially the office of the Post Master General, Customs and the Bureau of Immigration,” Galvez said.

Bomb packages sent to former US secretary of state Hillary Clinton, wife of former president Bill Clinton, former president Barack Obama and other known Democrats were intercepted by the Secret Service. A similar package was also sent to media firm CNN at its headquarters in New York.

Galvez said foreign terrorist groups such as the Islamic State (IS) have become very bold.

The military were looking into reports that an alleged suicide bomber was behind the car bomb explosion in Basilan recently.

“There are many instances that the IS are using drones… drone borne explosives to be dropped on the target,” Galvez said.

“When we fought in Marawi we established that our enemies are also techies. They also have drones and technical equipment in conducting surveillance,” he added.

Presidential spokesman and chief presidential legal adviser Salvador Panelo said there is no need for President Duterte to change tack in dealing with his critics.

Panelo said he sees no reason for Duterte’s followers to copy the incidents in the US and send bomb packages to scare off critics.

“For one, he has been here for the last two years, and we have no incidents similar to what is happening in the US,” he said.

Philippine National Police chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said the incidents in the US could also happen in the country.

“It’s always possible lalo na sa atin… we lack the technology,” Albayalde told reporters at a news briefing in Boracay.

He admitted that the country lacks technical equipment to intercept such type of package containing  bombs.

“I think this should be an eye-opener for us,” he said.

He said the Philippines, just like other countries, is vulnerable to a terrorist attacks.  – With Emmanuel Tupas