AFP Headquarters Support Company placed on red alert

MANILA, Philippines - The military unit tasked to secure Camp Aguinaldo has been placed on red alert in preparation for the 28th anniversary of the People Power Revolution.

Armed Forces public affairs chief Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala said the alert status took effect last Sunday. It only covers the Headquarters Support Command (HSC), the unit in charge of Camp Aguinaldo’s physical security.

“The red alert status for the HSC started on February 23 at about 5 p.m. and will end when the commemoration of People Power (anniversary) ends,” Zagala said in a press briefing on Monday.

“The red alert status was declared here at Camp Aguinaldo at the headquarters service level because the People Power Shrine is located within the environs of the General Headquarters,” he added.

When a unit is placed on red alert, all its personnel will be placed on standby to ensure enough manpower in the event of an emergency.

About 100 soldiers belong to the HSC, which includes the military, police, K-9 units and explosive ordnance division.

Zagala said other Camp Aguinaldo-based units like the General Headquarters Staff, Joint Task Force National Capital Region and the joint, technical and personal staff remain under normal alert status.

“There is no threat. What is important is we have the HSC on red alert status to prepare them for any security measure,” he added.

The military upgraded the HSC’s alert status even if the traditional “salubungan” will not be held along Edsa this year.

The salubungan, which depicts how the civilians and the military joined hands to restore democracy, will be held in Cebu City today and will be witnessed by President Aquino, cabinet members and other prominent personalities.