AFP now under red alert

(Updated 1:05 p.m.) The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Thursday placed its entire force around the country under red alert, adding that it has not monitored unauthorized troop movements. In a radio interview, AFP spokesman Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro fended off Trillanes' camp's reported claims that they are expecting troops from Mindanao to join them in Makati City. He told soldiers to remain vigilant and prevent parties from "exploiting the situation." "As of now we have not monitored any unauthorized troop movement gaya nung mga pahayag nila na mayroon silang mga kasamahan na nanggagaling sa Mindanao na patungo dito sa Metro Manila. At this point the AFP has not monitored any unauthorized movement," Bacarro said. While expressing confidence on the loyalty of government troops to the chain of command, Bacarro asked troops to remain alert and prevent parties from exploiting the crisis. "Para sa ating mga kasundaluhan, paticularly yung ating mga sundalong nasa field, let's be alert. Tignan natin yung nangyayaring situation and let's prevent other people from exploiting the situation," Bacarro said. In the interview, Bacarro also clarified that the military guards escorting Trillanes and Lim have not shifted allegiance to the detained officers. "Gusto nating liwanagin na yung lumalabas na balita na yung mga nagbabantay, yung mga MPs (military police) na nagbabantay sa grupo ni Gen. Lim at ibang grupo ng Magdalo ay naging sympathetic na, hindi po totoo ito," Bacarro said. "Sapagkat ang binigay pong kautusan sa kanila ay sumama kahit saan magpunta nag mga opisyal na ito, ito po ang kanilang ginagawa at they are not sympathetic to the said group. At ngayon po ay meron na pong action ang NCR command at Phil Marines," Bacarro said. - GMANews.TV