Metro Manila is still free of terrorists, a police official announced Friday. Chief Superintendent Roberto Rosales, Metro Manila police director, said police and military intelligence unit failed to confirm an intelligence report about the supposed presence of hard core terrorists in the metropolis. “There are none. After 12 hours of an exchange of information and validation wala po,” Rosales said. He said the result of the validation was the reason of his decision to lower the alert level of all units in Metro Manila from full to heightened alert. Under a heightened alert status, police units are required to deploy 75 percent of their force into the streets. Rosales, however, said that Metro Manila residents should remain alert and vigilant because police would not really now if there is an imminent terrorist threat. “Hindi natin masasabing wala at meron. Kaya pinag-iingat ang mamamayan…,” the police official said. Rosales placed the Metro Manila police force on full alert status after receiving reports from the military that suspected members of the Indonesia-based terror group Jemaah Islamiyah, Abu Sayyaf group and special operations group of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front are in the capital region. The military's National Capital Region Command under Maj. Gen. Leo Fojas also placed its troops on red alert due to the report. Fojas told revealed on Wednesday that they are validating information that four terrorists with special bomb-making skills have entered Metro Manila. The information came a day after the deadly twin bombings in downtown Jolo, Sulu and Iligan City in Lanao del Norte. Police suspect the three groups are involved in the bombings. The twin bombings took place three days after a bomb exploded near a crowded cathedral in Cotabato City. At least six people died and more than 30 people were injured in the blast. – abs
