Northern Police District verifying report Maute to attack Metro Manila

Northern Police District director Chief Supt. Roberto Fajardo said the information stated in a police memorandum now spreading on social media on the supposed plan of local terror group Maute to attack parts of Metro Manila was unverified and unvalidated.

Fajardo, however, confirmed that the memorandum indeed came from the Station Intelligence Branch (SIB) of the Valenzuela Police Station.

“Not verified, for validation pa iyong mga alleged intelligence reports na ‘yan. Kaya galing sa SIB ng Valenzuela,  for counter-checking pa ang alleged intel information,” he said in a text message to GMA News Online.

“Iyong intel information na dapat i-validate muna sa ground ginawang memo ng Valenzuela. Not verified (ang information),” he said.

Meanwhile, National Capital Region Police Office chief Director Oscar Albayalde asked the public to stop spreading or posting the document.

“We reiterate our call that security is everyone's concern, while we give due respect to freedom of expression, let us be responsible by not spreading unverified news or information that may cause undue alarm to the public at large,” he said in a press statement.

He also ordered the NPD to investigate the document-handling procedure at the Valenzuela Police Station.

Albayalde assured the public that the police do not take for granted any information reported to them.

“We process every information received and task our police on the ground to validate all these so that we will be able to address any threat immediately and appropriately,” he said. — MDM/KVD, GMA News