A high-ranking police official from Central Luzon has dismissed rumors of bomb threats in the region, including Pampanga province.
“According to our tactical operations center, wala pa naman pong napabalitang bomb threat sa area natin,” Police
Superintendent Fe Grenas, Central Luzon police chief information officer, said during a press briefing at Widus Hotel on Wednesday.
Grenas added that Regional Police Chief, Chief Supt. Aaron Aquino, has instructed all police units in the region to increase 24-hour checkpoint operations to thwart any untoward incidents.
Grenas also asked the public to avoid spreading false information, especially on social media, about bomb threats in the
province so as to cause panic.
“Kami po sa kapulisan, [nakikiusap po kami sa publiko na] iwasan nila na makadagdag pa sa sitwasyon, iwasan nilang magbiro or magpasa ng mga text messages or magpost sa social media na hindi kaaya-aya tungkol sa bomb threats kasi hindi po siya nakakatulong,” Grenas said.
Unverified reports of bomb threats in places of convergence like airports and shopping malls have been spreading in social media after the bombing incident in Davao City’s night market.
The bombing in President Duterte’s hometown killed 14 people and left more than 60 others injured. Local terrorist group Abu Sayaff has claimed responsibility for the incident.