Stay Calm Despite Alert Level Up, PRO7 Tells Public

The Police Regional Office (PRO-7) urged the public to remain calm despite the Terror Alert Level 3 hoisted over the country.

In a statement, PRO7 Director PCSupt. Noli Taliño said people in Central Visayas should remain calm but cautious as the raising of the alert level is mainly precautionary.

This after Police Director General Ronald de la Rosa declared the whole Philippines under the highest alert level of security. According to Taliño, with the pronouncement, the police are expected to double their efforts in implementing the target hardening measures.

These include the frequency of checkpoints on strategic areas under Oplan Sita, the conduct of random searches on motorists, and raids on the hideouts of suspected terrorists in Central Visayas.

Additional PNP personnel will be deployed at the different seaports, airports and terminals to implement the tightened security coverage. Taliño, however, stressed that Central Visayas is still safe and secure and that despite the terror threats, there is no cause for alarm. “The police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines and other counterparts are doing their best to secure the country,” Talino said.

The public is encouraged to report to the nearest police station on the presence of any suspicious persons and activities and any unattended luggages in their respective localities.

De la Rosa made the declaration after a foiled bomb attack near the United States Embassy in Roxas Boulevard, Manila. It is not the first time that such alert level was raised. In 2013, PNP adopted a three-level defense system which consists of intelligence, target-hardening or increasing security at vital installations and establishments, and incident management.

Terror Level 3 has previously been declared in Metro Manila after the LRT bombing and Rizal Day bombing several years ago. (rmn/fcc/PIA7-Cebu)