Military vigilant though not on full red alert for Holy Week

MANILA, Philippines—The alert status of the military will not be elevated across the board during the Holy Week but the Armed Forces of the Philippines has pledged to maintain vigilance and intensify its security operations, especially in the countryside.

“I am not directing military units to raise their alert status. However, our unified commanders have full discretion to do so depending on their current assessment of the security conditions in their respective localities,” AFP Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Jessie D. Dellosa said in a statement.

He said the commanders could make the necessary adjustments to ensure that the observance of the Holy Week is safe and secure.

AFP public affairs chief Colonel Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr. said the military would coordinate closely with law enforcement agencies, particularly the Philippine National Police, in securing “vital economic facilities and populated areas nationwide.”

“The AFP is ready to provide additional security contingencies like manpower, intelligence, Explosive and Ordnance Disposal teams, K9 capability and Medical Teams to support PNP and other civil authorities,” he said.

Burgos said the AFP’s preparations for the Holy Week were “much more intensified and increased compared to last year” because of the extended holiday, with Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) falling on April 9, right after Easter.

“The security measures that will be conducted by the AFP will stretch until such time that its security forces will no longer be needed,” he said.

Dellosa assured the public that the AFP was prepared and in constant guard against any possible threats during the Holy Week.

“The AFP will keep its guard up as the whole nation solemnly observes the Lenten Season. We will continue with our day-to-day peace and security operations to ensure the safe and secure observance of the Holy Week,” he said.