PNP investigating another 2 persons of interest who allegedly served as lookout in MSU bombing

Transcript

00:00 Two more persons of interest are in the crosshairs of the police for up-close entry, bringing

00:05 to four the number of its POIs even as it mulls stricter security measures nationwide.

00:10 This as the country is poised to go under the highest security status next Friday.

00:15 Our Patrick de Azuz tells us the entire story.

00:21 Aside from two persons of interest, two other individuals are being investigated by the

00:26 PNP who possibly served as lookout during the bombing in Mindanao State University in

00:32 Marawi City wherein four victims perished while more than 50 sustained injuries.

00:38 This is based on the CCTV footage outside the school retrieved by the police.

00:43 So we are looking for at least four persons.

00:48 Aside from our POI, we are looking for two individuals who possibly served as lookout

00:56 during the bombing.

00:59 So we are still collating evidence if these are the two suspected persons involved here.

01:09 The PNP has previously said that two identified POIs have links with local terrorist groups

01:15 operating in Mindanao and were previously involved in other bombing incidents and criminal

01:20 activities.

01:21 The PNP meanwhile denied there was a failure of intelligence on the incident.

01:25 Before this happened, we did not receive any pro-bar of any information that would lead

01:34 to the specifics of the alleged bombing in Mindanao, particularly in MSU.

01:41 But our validation is not limited to the PNP.

01:45 We are in close coordination particularly with the Armed Forces of the Philippines,

01:49 Philippine Coast Guards and other law enforcement agencies.

01:52 So as to the comment that there was a failure of intelligence, there is none.

01:59 PNP Chief Police General Benjamin Acorda Jr. inspected malls and transportation hubs in

02:05 Metro Manila.

02:07 The PNP chief said that the security is normal especially during the yuletide season.

02:17 The malls and areas of convergence will be busy.

02:22 So I just want to make sure that our police is there and the proper security measures

02:29 and inspection is being done.

02:32 Some sort of emphasizing that our police should look after the security of our countrymen.

02:41 Even if there is something happening in Manali, we are doing this.

02:46 But what we wanted really is to emphasize.

02:49 The NCR is already on heightened alert while Mindanao has been placed under full alert

02:54 following the MSU bombing.

02:56 But on December 15, full alert will be nationwide to ensure a safe holiday celebration in the

03:02 country Patrick Dias suits for the nation