Philippine security forces have been on heightened alert ever since the Marawi siege took place over four years ago.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque gave this assurance to the public in terms of the country's vigilance as far as a possible terror attack is concerned.
"Alam niyo naman po, talaga naman pong tayo ay nasa heightened alert matapos po yung nangyari sa Marawi (As you know, we've really been on heightened alert after what happened to Marawi)," Roque said during a virtual press briefing with Malacañang reporters on Thursday, Sept. 16.
The Palace official was reacting to a tip confirmed and shared by the Embassy of Japan in Manila regarding a possible terror attack in any of six Southeast Asian countries, including the Philippines.
"Nagpapasalamat po tayo sa impormasyon pero lalo lang po nating pina-iigting ang ating kahandaan para po harapin ang posibleng terroristic attack muli (We thank them for the information but we are stepping up our readiness in facing another possible terroristic attack)," Roque said.
"Nakahanda naman po ang ating kapulisan at ang ating hukbong sandatahan (Our police and armed forces are prepared)," he underscored.
It was May 23, 2017 when an estimated 1,000 ISIS-inspired Maute Group terrorists occupied Marawi City in Lanao del Sur.
It took the military and police five months to drive out the enemy, with the extensive shelling and bombing leaving the Islamic city in ruins. Marawi's rehabilitation will likely outlast the Duterte administration.
Despite attesting to local security forces' readiness against a terror attacks, Roque still sought the public's cooperation in reporting "suspicious personalities and objects" to authorities.