Former Interior Secretary Rafael Alunan III warned that the risk of destabilization against the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is high, as he urged authorities to secure key centers of power and strategic installations in Metro Manila.
In a Facebook post on Wednesday night, Alunan said the National Capital Region remains the country’s “main center of gravity” and should be placed under close watch amid the ongoing anti-corruption protest staged by Iglesia ni Cristo.
“The country’s main center of gravity is NCR (National Capital Region) or Metro Manila. Destabilization risk is high at this time,” Alunan said.
“My advice is for all critical seats of power – political, military, business districts, strategic infrastructure, public safety, ports, and radio-tv stations – to be amply protected and defended,” he added.
Alunan issued the warning on the second day of the INC-led protest at the People Power Monument in Quezon City. The rally later moved to Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila on Thursday.
Several personalities associated with the camp of Vice President Sara Duterte and former president Rodrigo Duterte were seen at the protest.
Without naming individuals or groups, Alunan also called on authorities to monitor what he described as “known adversaries of the State” and possible “Trojan horses.”
“Watch the movements of known adversaries of the State, extrapolate, and anticipate. Also, stay on the lookout for ‘Trojan horses’ that are already inside the door and prepared to act,” Alunan said.
Sought for comment, Interior Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla said the government is prepared for any eventuality.
“We are ready for anything,” Remulla said.
Asked whether there were indications that the INC rally was part of a destabilization plot against the government, Remulla said: “None that we know.”
The Philippine National Police, meanwhile, downgraded the alert status in most parts of the country from full alert to heightened alert, while keeping the National Capital Region under full alert.
The PNP had placed all units nationwide on full alert last Tuesday after thousands of INC members gathered at the People Power Monument.
“The full alert status has been downgraded to heightened alert status for the rest of the country except for NCR, which remains on full alert status,” PNP spokesman Col. Allen Rae Co. said.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines also remained on Red Alert in the National Capital Region after declaring its highest alert status “to ensure heightened operational readiness.”