Terror alert level 3 was raised in the country even before the bombing attempt on the U.S. Embassy in Manila, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) clarified Thursday.

"Yung alert level natin sa Manila hindi naman po nagbago yan... even before the incident long, long time ago po," NCRPO Director Chief Supt. Oscar Albayalde said during an interview on DZMM.

[The alert level in Manila hasn't changed. This was already up long, long time ago even before the bombing incident.]

He issued the clarification following Philippine National Police Chief Director General Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa's announcement that the entire country was placed under terror alert level 3 after the foiled bomb attack.

• READ: What to expect from 'terror alert level 3'

Albayalde, however, clarified that the alert level had always been like that given the previous bombing attempts in Metro Manila, with him citing the 2000 Rizal Day bombing of the LRT Line 1.

And although he couldn't say when the terror alert was first raised, he said they have already been on high alert since he assumed office last July.

But he explained that this just means that there is a possibility of retaliatory acts from terror groups.

"Manila is the seat of government so kung may retaliatory act talaga pong dito nila most likely gagawin," he said.

[Manila is the seat of government so if there is a retaliatory act, they will most likely do it here.]

Albayade noted that "there is no clear and present and imminent danger" in the metro even as police encourage citizens and authorities to be vigilant as all times.