No need to heighten alert status, says military

MANILA, Philippines—The Armed Forces of the Philippines said Saturday it saw no need to raise its alert status on Sunday, the 10th anniversary of the September 11 terror attacks in the United States, saying it was just a “normal situation” for the troops.

“We find no need to raise the terror alert as we have not received any reports of any threats,” said AFP public affairs chief Colonel Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos.

But Burgos added that the AFP was intensifying its intelligence collection efforts and continuing the conduct of “sustained security operations” particularly in the countryside.

“We will further strengthen our linkages with other security forces and law enforcement agencies particularly the Philippine National Police in terms of intelligence sharing,” Burgos said.

In addition, he said, unit commanders would be given the authority and prerogative to raise alert level conditions depending on their assessment of the security situation in their respective localities.

“Your Armed Forces is always ready to protect you. We guarantee you that the security we deliver is heightened and constant,” Burgos said.