Bottled water, other liquids banned on LRT, MRT

Passengers of the MRT and the LRT are no longer allowed to bring any kind of liquid onto the train as an additional security measure following a deadly terror attack that killed more than 20 people in Jolo, Sulu over the weekend.

According to a "24 Oras" report by Mark Salazar on Tuesday, train lines also tightened up  bag-checking and x-ray procedures as the Philippine National Police (PNP) declared a heightened alert status after the bombing.

National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Guillermo Eleazar, who was inspecting security preparations in Manila, explained how harmful chemicals carried onto the train may endanger the lives of all its passengers.

"Meron kasing ibang mga liquid items na  puwede itong mga chemicals na maaaring harmful sa ibang mga kasamahan natin para mag-cause ng harm sa sa iba," Eleazar said.

Eleazar also reminded the public that roving policemen will be informing the PNP about any suspicious activity.

"And then meron din kasi tayong roving na mga pulis na kung sakali man na nagbibigay ng impormasyon na sakaling kahina-hinala, ay puwede nating i-approach 'yon," he said.

Although the NCRPO had yet to receive any threat linked to Jolo attack, Eleazar said the police must also be on the lookout for any election-related violence.

"'Yung kasing mga sympathizer and supporters, would come and go, pupunta dito, pero sa of the verified report on the plan na magkaroon ng attack dito, lahat 'yan for validation," the police chief said.

"Dito sa full-alert, mas in-excel pa natin, kumpaga, 50 percent from the normal," he added.

The public has also been advised not to spread text messages containing unverified information so as not to cause unnecessary panic. —NB, GMA News