Metro police revert to normal alert

The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) is back to normal alert today.

NCRPO chief Deputy Director General Avelino Razon Jr. declared the full alert status off at midnight last night.

"Everybody deserves a pat on the back for a job well done," Razon told The Star. "Our policemen deserve some rest, so we lower our alert status to normal starting past midnight today."

Razon pointed out that the only incident noticed by the public during the Holy Week break was the discovery on Sunday morning of a "bomb" at the Act Tower in Makati City which houses the Embassy of Spain.

Razon quickly downplayed the incident, claiming that the "bomb" was meant more to sow panic than to hurt.

The incident was not related in any way to the threat of the Abu Sayyaf to sow terror in the metropolis during the Holy Week, he said.

Razon placed the 17,000-strong NCRPO on a full alert status last week amid reports that the Abu Sayyaf would stage bombing runs in Metro Manila in retaliation for the killing of their 25 jailed comrades during an assault at their detention cell in Bicutan, Taguig.

The report was classified as unverified but just the same the NCRPO went on full alert and guarded government and private installations like bus terminals, LRT, MRT, seaports and airports, in Metro Manila to thwart such attacks.

Razon cancelled all passes and leaves and directed NCRPO personnel to report for duty during the Holy Week. The security blanket imposed in Metro Manila was successful.

Razon pointed out, however, that despite their return to normal alert, the NCRPO would maintain dedicated intelligence teams to monitor, along with barangay officials and security guards, suspiscious-looking people in the metropolis.

"We may be back to normal alert but the NCRPO would continue to secure vital government and private installations," he said. "We will not be lowering our guard against the continued Abu Sayyaf threat."

The NCRPO chief urged the public to continue giving their support to the police force.

"We are doing our best to contain the peace and order problem in the metropolis but I confess we cannot do the job alone," he said. Citizens are urged to report the presence of terrorists and criminals in their communities by sending a text message or e-mail to the police. — Non Alquitran