100 cops deployed to secure Quiapo for Ramadan —NCRPO chief

Some 100 police officers have been deployed to secure Manila's Quiapo district in preparation for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which will start on the evening of May 26, National Capital Region Police Office chief Director Oscar Albyalde said Friday.

"Doon sa Quiapo, naglagay tayo ng additional na PCP (Police Community Precinct) doon, particularly sa Golden Mosque na tinatawag. And of course nagdagdag tayo ng almost 100 na personnel doon at medyo mahigpit yung ating security na pinapatupad doon," Albayalde told "Unang Balita." 

Earlier this month, two people were killed and six others were hurt in two successive blasts  along Norzagaray Street, near the Golden Mosque.

Albayalde said that  "persons of interest" are being investigated for the incident.

"Sa ngayon mayroon silang apat na persons of interest na tinitingnan doon sa blast." 

As to the possible motive, he said, "Probably pwedeng assassination or meant to scare din. Kasi kung talagang assassination, tinitingnan natin kung kontrolado niya yung pagputok ng bomba na yun ay hindi siguro Sabado gagawin. Dahil alam naman niyang hindi papasok yung tao. Pwede sigurong warning lang sa kanya." 

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar when Muslims commemorate the first revelation of the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad.

The holy month calls for spiritual reflection through praying, fasting, and abstaining from "sinful" behavior. —Marlly Rome Bondoc/LBG, GMA News