Mindanao bombings: PNP on full alert

MANILA, Philippines — All units of the Philippine National Police have been placed on highest security alert in the wake of the bombings in Mindanao, PNP officer-in-charge Lt. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr. said yesterday.

He said the move is necessary to prevent more bombings and other acts of terrorism in other parts of the country, including Metro Manila.

“Ang buong kapulisan sa buong Pilipinas ay nilagay na natin sa full alert status,” Danao said in an interview over dzBB.

Last week, a bomb exploded in a passenger bus in Koronadal, South Cotabato, which left two persons wounded. Another bomb went off by the roadside in Tacurong, Sultan Kudarat.

In Basilan on Monday, two persons were wounded when an unattended package from a bus that came from Lamitan City exploded at a terminal in Barangay La Piedad.

Danao appealed for understanding from the public, especially commuters, as stricter security measures would be imposed in public transportation hubs.

He called on the people to comply with random inspections by police officers, saying these measures are necessary for everyone’s protection.

“Kung wala naman po tayong dinadalang anything na bawal, I would request our kababayans to just give in to the inspections,” Danao said.

He urged the public to immediately report suspicious-looking persons and unattended items, such as bags left on the streets.

Abu bandit tagged

As this developed, Lt. Col. Junpikar Sitin, Isabela police chief, said initial investigation showed that an Abu Sayyaf bandit was behind the bomb explosion in the parking lot of a fastfood chain in Barangay Isabela Proper.

He cited footage of closed-circuit television cameras at the scene, which caught a motorcycle rider leaving a container that exploded minutes after he left.

Sitin gave a report during a peace and order council meeting called by Mayor Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman yesterday.

Hataman urged law enforcers to continue their probe, beef up checkpoints and increase police visibility. – Roel Pareño