MRT3 confirms bomb threat ahead of Jolo blasts

The management of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT3) on Friday confirmed it received a bomb threat prior to the deadly explosions in Jolo, Sulu late January, saying this was the reason why it heightened security checks at train stations.

“The bomb threat was sent via email and received last January 3,” the MRT3 told reporters in a Viber group message.

“It was already coordinated with the authorities, PNP-CIDG (Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group) for them to track down the email sender,” it added.

The said bomb threat was among the reasons why the MRT3 heightened its security, particularly the prohibition of several liquids inside the trains.

“That's one reason kung bakit po kami naghihigpit ng seguridad following recent attacks in Mindanao,” it said.

The MRT3 recently earned the ire of commuters after it banned bottled drinks, water and any liquid substance as this could be mixed with other substances to form a liquid bomb. 

The additional security measure was recommended by the PNP after the deadly  bomb attacks on the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral in Jolo that killed at least 23 people last week.

"These guidelines are based on the latest bombing incident in southern Philippines, as well as intel reports that are coming in," the MRT3 said.

"Given these, we cannot let alone the safety and security of our riders."

Nevertheless, the MRT-3 said the following liquids may be permitted on the trains upon validation and approval from security personnel: 

• Baby formula / breast milk in bottles, if the passenger is travelling with a baby or small child;
• Drinking water to be used by the baby or small child;
• All prescription and over-the-counter medications;
• Liquids including water, juice or liquid nutrition or gels for passenger with a disability or life condition;
• Life-support and life-sustaining liquids such as bone marrow, blood products, and transplant organs;
• Items used to augment the body and for medical and cosmetics reasons such as mastectomy products, prosthetics breast, bras or shells containing gels, saline solution, or other liquids; and
• Gels or frozen liquids needed to cool disability or medical-related items used by persons with disabilities or medical conditions.

The MRT3 said the emailed threat is now under investigation.

“We just wanted to be cautious, since we have thousands of passengers daily. We do not want to compromise the safety and security of our passengers and personnel, we will not lax and we will implement a more effective security measures in our trains and stations,” it said.

The stricter security will last until the PNP gives an advice that the railway lines may go back to their normal security protocols, it added. 

"It has been proven that an attack in a railway system is highly possible, and we do not want a repeat of the unfortunate incident on Dec. 30, 2000 (Rizal Day Bombings) where a number of our people died and suffered," the MRT3 said.

"Please join us in this fight against terrorism." — RSJ/KBK, GMA News