The Philippine National Police (PNP) sought understanding and co-operation from commuters as the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) and Light Rail Transit (LRT) ordered a ban on liquids that could be used as bomb materials.
Senior Supt. Bernard Banac, PNP spokesman, said the strict ban of liquid materials in LRT and MRT lines was part of the full-alert status level implemented by the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).
He said banning liquid materials had long been part of the international standard in security as observed in airports and seaports.
“This is all part of our security measures, so we ask the public for understanding and co-operation in order not be bothered. This is just temporary,” Banac said.
“We are still talking and studying about it and hopefully, nothing bad will happen in our peace and order…In the coming days, we can expect a statement regarding the security in LRT and MRT,” Banac said. LRT and MRT banned bottled drinks and other liquid materials on January 31 inside train stations to prevent possible attacks following the twin blasts in Jolo, Sulu on January 27.
Guillermo Eleazar, NCRPO regional director, had downgraded the alert level status in Metro Manila from full alert to just heightened alert.
The MRT later clarified that some liquid items could be allowed inside its train stations amid the implementation of the ban on liquids.
Passengers may bring the following items upon validation and approval of security personnel and police officers in its stations:
Baby formula/breast milk in bottles, if the passenger is travelling with a baby or small child; drinking water to be used by the baby or small child; all prescription and over-the-counter medications; liquids including water, juice or liquid nutrition or gels for passenger with disability or other health condition;
life-support and life-sustaining liquids, such as bone marrow, blood products and transplant organs; items used to augment the body and for medical and cosmetics reasons, such as mastectomy products, prosthetics breast, shells containing gels, saline solution, or other liquids; and gels or frozen liquids needed to cool disability or medical-related items used by persons with disabilities or medical conditions.
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