The Armed Forces of the Philippines said Thursday that its units in the National Capital Region remain under Red Alert, but clarified that no security threat has been monitored in connection with the Iglesia Ni Cristo rally.
“Not yet lifted or downgraded as of now,” AFP public affairs chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad said.
The military declared the Red Alert last Tuesday following the rally staged by the Iglesia Ni Cristo.
The gathering was held at the People Power Monument on Tuesday and Wednesday before it was transferred to Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila on Thursday.
The AFP earlier said the Red Alert was declared “to ensure heightened operational readiness” and to make sure that military personnel and assets are “prepared to support civil authorities, when requested, in accordance with the Constitution, existing laws, and established procedures.”
Trinidad also sought to downplay speculation that the military raised the alert status because it considered the INC rally a security threat.
“We have not monitored any security threat during the rally,” Trinidad said.
“The alert status is our standard measure to place our personnel and assets on ready when needed by civil authorities in accordance with existing laws,” he added.