Bottled drinks banned in Metro Manila trains 

The recent bombings in Mindanao have sparked heightened alert nationwide, including in Metro Manila’s trains.

The city’s train lines announced yesterday that bottled drinks are now banned in their stations.

The MRT-3, which has 13 stations throughout the metro, made the announcement on their Facebook page.

“We advise our commuters not to bring bottled drinks, and liquids inside MRT-3 stations as these can be used as ‘liquid bombs.’ Hence, we encourage our passengers before entering MRT-3 stations to consume their bottled drinks, otherwise they will not be allowed to set foot in,” its statement reads.

The LRT, with 20 stations, and the LRT-2, which has 11 stations, posted similar announcements on social media.

The LRT said that commuters are allowed to bring tumblers but must get rid of its contents before entering the train.

The LRT-2’s announcement came with an extra reminder: “Stay hydrated even before entering an LRT-2 station.”

The train lines said that the new rule was established after a directive from the Philippine National Police (PNP).

The PNP has been on high alert nationwide since the cathedral bombing in Jolo, Sulu on Sunday. More than 20 people died and more than 100 were injured after two improvised explosive devices went off.

Some churches have also intensified their security to keep parishioners safe. Bags, backpacks, and boxes are now prohibited inside Davao City churches, Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines said, according to the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

The backpack ban will also apply to other places of worship, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said, according to the Philippine Star.

Three days after the Jolo blast, a mosque in Zamboanga City was attacked with a grenade, leaving two religious leaders dead. Police believe the suspects may have had a personal grudge or could be “riding on the Jolo incident.”