NorMin cops dismiss terror text scare

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY--The Police Regional Office in Region 10 (PRO-10) has downplayed the proliferation of text and online messages about the supposed plan of a terror group to sow chaos in this city and in Kidapawan City, in North Cotabato.

The original message is said to have originated from a certain "Marlon Sabio," and "PNP Davao" that also included the phone number that any receiver can contact "for reference."

Police Supt. Surki Sereñas, PRO-10 spokesperson, said on Monday that the messages were fake.

The original sender claimed he received information from a "high ranking official" about an imminent terrorist activity involving the Maute Group, which was responsible for the five-month Marawi City siege last year.

It said that Maute terrorists are planning to take hostages in Cagayan de Oro and Kidapawan cities, and advised residents not to go out at night.

"Judging by the writing style, the texter is a prankster whose purpose is to sow panic," Sereñas said.

However, as part of security protocol, he said the message was forwarded to the PRO-10 intelligence unit "for validation and analysis."

Sereñas said the original sender "could be considered a terrorist himself for spreading false information to agitate and sow terror in the minds of the people." (PNA)