Army in Negros probes leak of ‘confidential’ document on alleged terror plot for Duterte anniversary

June 28, 2017 - 1:13 PM
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A policeman mans a checkpoint in Metro Manila. (Reuters file)

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — The Army in Negros is investigating the leak of an intelligence document on supposed terrorist plans for June 30, which marks one year since President Rodrigo Duterte assumed office.

The Negros incident is latest leak of supposedly confidential documents on a purported plan by operatives of the Islamic State, Maute group and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters to carry out terror attacks this Friday following incidents involving police units in Metro Manila.

Like the leaked PNP memos, the one from the 303rd Infantry Brigade also warns of “major attacks in key cities nationwide targeting churches, shopping malls and other populated areas,” supposedly using hijacked fuel.

Although Captain Von Ryan Gomez, brigade operations officer, could not take a call, he confirmed the authenticity of the “report,” which asked the provincial police directors of Negros Occidental and Oriental to order city and municipal stations to conduct random checkpoints, “precautionary actions … to preempt such violent incident(s).”

The Army will also be deploying troops to help guard vital installations, such as oil depots, in both provinces.

Gomez also said “we are investigating also how this (document) came out since it is … classified info.”