June 24, 2001, The Philippine Star, Metro safe from Sayyaf, by Non Alquitran,

The Abu Sayyaf is too far away in the boondocks of Basilan to create havoc in Metro Manila, a police official said yesterday. 

Deputy Director General Romeo Pena, head of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), explained that the Abu Sayyaf problem is confined only to Basilan and Sulu. 

He described as mere "rumor" the alleged presence of the Abu Sayyaf extremists in Metro Manila. "There's no confirmation so we cannot act on it," Pena said in an interview over dzMM. 

He added that Metro Manilans should not panic because there are no sightings of the terrorist group here. -- Non Alquitran