MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) strengthened its information gathering after bombings hit Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday killing around 200 people.
PNP chief General Oscar Albayalde on Monday said they tightened the security in the country for the possibility that “terrorists there can move to other places anywhere in the world to seek refuge.”
“We are not [spared from] that. This is what we are looking at. These terrorist might move here,” he added.
Albayalde said the PNP offers “sincere solidarity” and “heartfelt prayers” to the people of Sri Lanka and is committed to extend any assistance.
“The PNP expresses solidarity with the international law enforcement community in condemning these uncivil acts of violence against civilian targets that were carried out for no other purpose but to sow fear and terror,” the PNP chief said.
“In the spirit of friendship and goodwill forged between Sri Lanka and the Philippines during the January 2019 state visit of President [Maithripala] Sirisena, the PNP remains committed to extend every possible assistance within our means,” he added.
The bombing incident occurred at the St. Sebastian’s Church in Negombo, a city about 20 miles north of Sri Lanka’s capital Colombo; the St. Anthony’s Shrine in Colombo; and Zion Church in the eastern city of Batticaloa during an Easter Sunday service. /PN
