Tuguegarao City suspends ‘No Helmet, No Travel’ policy amid threat of terrorism

The city government of Tuguegarao in Cagayan temporarily suspended the implementation of its 'No Helmet, No Travel' policy amid reports of the presence of terrorists in Luzon.

In a joint statement released on Monday, Tuguegarao Mayor Jefferson Soriano and Tuguegarao Police chief Police Lieutenant Colonel George Cablarda said the suspension will be until August 20, 2019.

The use of backpacks during the week-long celebration of the Afi Festival in the city this month was also prohibited.

Further, the statement said that continuous coordination with Muslim leaders in Tuguegarao, and security monitoring of local officials will be implemented while authorities are "validating the ISIS information being peddled on social media."

"Let us not allow this information to hostage our celebration because this is precisely what these malevolent persons wish to accomplish: to wreak havoc and fear among the public," it read.

The residents of Tuguegarao were advised to report suspicious persons and incidents to the following hotlines:

PNP-Tuguegarao City - 0905 800 5118

Tuguegarao City Command Center - 0906 622 9924

— Dona Magsino/RSJ, GMA News