Red alert in MManila to last until New Year - NCRCom

(Updated 10:02 p.m.) The military will extend its red alert status – the highest in its alert level scheme – in Metro Manila until the New Year supposedly to keep the public safe during the Yuletide season. Lt. Col. Armand Rico, spokesman of the Armed Forces’ National Capital Region Command (NCRCom), said this has nothing to do with the reported terror threats triggered by travel advisories issued by six countries, including the United States, on the Philippines. “We will continue to provide security support to the National Capital Regional Police Office that’s why the command extends its red alert with the onset of the Yuletide season," Rico said on Wednesday. The military placed all its units nationwide on red alert status last September 25 in preparation for the Oct. 25 synchronized barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections. The status was downgraded in all areas except in Metro Manila last November 4. Rico said troops who have been deployed in key areas due to the declaration of red alert would remain in their position until the issuance of a new order. “Our troops that were deployed since September 25 will remain in their current positions until further notice of pull out," he said. For the visit of former US President Bill Clinton on Wednesday, Rico said that the NCRcom was on alert for his security. “We’ve also 1,200 soldiers on standby for security operations if necessary," he said. Rico said NCRCom chief Maj. Gen. Arthur Tabaquero has also issued directives to all NCRCom officers and men “to remain on alert for quick disaster response activities in all disaster-prone areas in Metro Manila." “Part of the mandate of the command is not only to secure Metro Manila from security threats but also to conduct pre-emptive disaster activities for safety of the population," said Rico. Aside from the US, countries that issued travel advisories on the Philippines reportedly due to high risk of terrorist activity were UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and France. Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said there is no basis for these nations to issue such warnings. Interviewed by former Vice President Noli de Castro over the radio DzMM, Gazmin said that these countries should have consulted the Philippine government first before they issued out these advisories for their citizens. “That is what I am asking. There should be a protocol because they are in our country. Before they make such an advisory, they should coordinate with us but what happened was that they did not coordinate and they just came out with them (advisories)," said Gazmin. “What they are saying about threats here is without basis. Their report is not verified. If there was (basis), it was very raw information," he added. - KBK, GMANews.TV