AFP remains vigilant to terror threats

MANILA, Philippines—With the “terror alert” level not yet downgraded in Metro Manila, the Armed Forces of the Philippines said on Wednesday that it will continue to “sustain” its vigilance not only in the National Capital Region but in the whole Philippines.

“In spite of the termination of the successful celebration of the Feast of Black Nazarene, the AFP will continue to provide support to the Philippine National Police in terms of security, manpower, intelligence and monitoring efforts as they are still maintaining their heightened alert status against threat groups in the NCR,” military spokesman Colonel Arnulfo Burgos Jr. told reporters in a press briefing.

He added the AFP, through the National Capital Region Command (NCRCOM) will continue to liase and maintain its close coordination with the National Capital Region Police Office.

Defense Secretary said on Tuesday that it has not downgraded its terror alert and operations to locate the terror suspects are still ongoing.

On Sunday, President Benigno Aquino III warned that terrorists were targeting the Quiapo feast and called for tighter security.

“We assure that our troops will exhaust all their efforts in tracking down suspected terrorist personalities not only here in the NCR but elsewhere in the country where terrorism threat continues to exist,” Burgos said.