THE security alert status in Metro Manila have been downgraded following the arrest and filing of charges against those involved in Jolo Cathedral bombing last month.
From full alert status which mandates full attendance of police personnel, police forces in Metro Manila were placed on heightened alert status, according to Director Guillermo Eleazar, head of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).
“The Jolo bombing incident was already declared closed case with the arrest of several suspects involved in the said terrorist and inhumane incident. In this regard, the Full Alert status of the NCRPO is downgraded to Heightened Status effective today,” said Eleazar.
It was recalled that police forces in Luzon and the Visayas were placed under highest security alert status after the January 27 Jolo town bombings to ensure that there will be no spillover of attacks.
Mindanao has been on the highest security alert status and is under Martial Law since the Marawi City siege in May 2017.
Five suspects in the bombings are now under police custody while five others were charged, including Sulu-based Abu Sayyaf Group leader Hatin Hajan Sawadjaan.
But Eleazar said there is not much difference between full and heightened alert in Metro Manila, what with the preparations for the elections.
“The difference between the two status levels is really minimal. There may be less checkpoint frequencies but the mobilization of our police personnel and resources in the Metropolis continues,” said Eleazar. (Aaron Recuenco)