Military on red alert in Metro

The National Capital Region Command (NCRC) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has been placed on red alert status to guard the entire metropolis with more than 2,000 troops on standby, ready to respond to any crisis that may arise during the holidays.

Lt. Col. Daniel Lucero, AFP public information chief, however, clarified that nationwide, the military remains on a white alert status.

The red alert status in Metro Manila was in line with the military’s pro-active measures to thwart threats posed by the Communist Party of the Philippines (CCP) which is celebrating its 35th founding anniversary tomorrow.

It has been a tradition for the CCP to mark its anniversary celebration by ordering its armed-wing — New People’s Army (NPA) — to conduct liquidation strikes and launch attacks against government and private targets.

Maj. Gen. Alberto Braganza, NCRC chief and concurrent commander of the 7th Infantry Division, has been specifically tasked by AFP chief of staff Narciso Abaya to secure Metro Manila from all threats.

NCRC has about 2,500 men from the 80th Infantry Battalion as well as special military units such as the Light Reaction Companies, the Special Forces, the Special Warfare Group (SWAG), the Air Force’s Special Operations Wing (SPOW) and the Marines.

These troops are now based at its new headquarters at Camp Aguinaldo.

"These are military contingency units as well as a standby force. They will react to any eventuality during the holiday season," Lucero said.

Nationwide, however, Lucero said that both the unilateral suspension of military operations declared by the AFP and by the NPA and the ceasefire with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) are holding.

"But we are not letting our guard down even though the NPAs have declared a reciprocal SOMO. Most often, this is just as deception," Lucero stressed.

Aside from the threats posed by the NPA, the NCRC and police authorities are closely watching the terrorism front in a bid to thwart any attack similar to the Dec. 30, 2000 bombings in Metro Manila.