PNP-MG now investigating alleged memo on vehicles carrying IEDs

The Philippine National Police-Maritime Group is now investigating a supposed memorandum issued by their station in Zamboanga and now circulating online regarding vehicles allegedly carrying improvised explosive device.

“The PNP Maritime Group is now backtracking and investigating this alleged memorandum issued by a maritime station. Kung titignan n’yo, ‘yung memo signed by a certain SPO4 (Allan) Pestañas. So let’s wait for the result or the findings from the Maritime Group,” PNP spokesperson Chief Supt. Dionardo Carlos said.

He said the PNP-MG is probing where the supposed information originated and how it was leaked.

“And clearly it is not for circulation kasi ito ay info guide. If somebody got a copy and got this leaked, 'yan ang ating titignan,” he said.

Carlos said if the memorandum is indeed authentic, it should have a security classification.

“Kung titignan mo parang totoong-totoo but the content and the reference cited here dapat may security classification. So tignan po natin kung once Maritime give us their findings,” he said.

Carlos added that the different units have an information sharing scheme but the handling of such data depends on the kind of information.

“May information sharing from various units and also kung ito ay info or intel report coming from different units, may sharing ‘yan, but the handling of the information depends on the classification of the information being passed,” he said.

“So ito kung totoo, titignan ito as an information guide to a particular stakeholder to assist the originator or the unit,” he added.

With the circulation of the yet-to-be confirmed memorandum, Carlos asked the public to stop sharing it.

“We appeal to the public: If there is such an information concerning security and terrorism, don’t pass it around and better inform the authorities,” he said.

Carlos added that those who receive the yet to be verified information should instead post verified ones.

“Reverse the cycle until it reaches back the originator of the yet-to-be verified information,” he said.

Carlos assured the public that authorities do not set aside information they receive.

“As a standard operating procedure, hindi ito binabalewala. We direct the concerned unit to validate such information,” he said. —KG, GMA News