MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has placed all its units under red alert amid protests against massive corruption in flood control projects.
AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said yesterday all units of the AFP have been placed on red alert since Sept. 12 as a precautionary measure, standard security protocol and to support the Philippine National Police (PNP) in ensuring peace and order.
“This is standard security protocol. We would like to emphasize that the public has nothing to be alarmed about,” Padilla said in an interview over radio dzBB.
She added that more personnel are on standby in camps and leave privileges are suspended as required under a red alert.
The AFP also warned against attempts to infiltrate the protests. While it respects the right of every Filipino to peaceful assembly, Padilla said the armed forces will not allow any individual or group to exploit the situation to sow violence, division or instability.
Similarly, the AFP and the Department of National Defense (DND) rejected calls for the military to withdraw support from the government.
“The solution must be found in our democratic institutions and rule of law, not through extra-constitutional means,” Padilla said.
Alert status for September 21 pending
The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) will determine in the coming days whether to raise its alert status for rallies expected on Sept. 21.
NCRPO director Maj. Gen. Anthony Aberin told The STAR that they already have a security template in place for annual demonstrations marking the anniversary of martial law.
“Sept. 21 of course is traditionally marked by rallies. We will decide if we will upgrade the alert status in the coming days. Nevertheless, the NCRPO already has a template laid out, and we will upgrade if needed,” Aberin said in Filipino.
The NCRPO chief noted that protest turnouts in recent days have been small despite calls on social media, citing Saturday’s rally at the People Power Monument that drew fewer than 300 people, many of whom were members of the media and police.
Border control?
Meanwhile, Aberin confirmed that the NCRPO downgraded its full alert status on Saturday night after no major rallies materialized.
He clarified that routine border control measures at the boundaries of Rizal, Laguna, Cavite and Bulacan remain unchanged and denied reports of tighter checks in north Caloocan.
“There was no order from me or from the district director to implement stricter measures. Border controls follow the usual procedure of random checks if suspicious vehicles pass through. It was probably a misquote because we were on red alert yesterday (Saturday),” he said.
Asked about comparisons to protests in Indonesia and Nepal, Aberin dismissed the possibility of similar unrest in the Philippines.
“The situation is different. Here, the government is taking action, and our people are mature enough to see that. The PNP is a professional organization, and I assure you what happened in those countries will not happen here,” he said.
Aberin stressed that police would continue to observe maximum tolerance during demonstrations.
“We will respect human rights. With or without permits, we will allow our countrymen to express themselves as long as they abide by the law,” he said.
He assured the public that Metro Manila remains generally peaceful and under control.
Student, Church protests
In Cagayan de Oro City, Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan became the epicenter of youth activism on Saturday, as students flooded the streets, chanting against widespread government corruption.
Spearheaded by the Central Student Government (CSG) and the Social Involvement and Advocacy Program, the demonstration served as a unified outcry against systemic corruption, echoing a growing sentiment among young Filipinos nationwide.
Luis Nicholai Wong, the CSG’s presidential adviser for political affairs, articulated the protesters’ demands with stark clarity: “Corruption kills. Every peso stolen deprives us of essential services.”
Meanwhile, the San Carlos Borromeo Cathedral Parish in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental will hold a prayer walk called “Walk Against Corruption” on Sept. 20.
In a Facebook post, the cathedral announced that the walk will take place at 3:30 p.m. within the cathedral grounds and around the city of San Carlos.
The cathedral requested those joining the prayer walk to wear white and bring their own placards.
“Together let us walk as one community in the call for justice and integrity,” it said.
Similarly, Antipolo Bishop Ruperto Santos reminded the people that the “Thou shall not steal” commandment is not a suggestion but a divine law.
“Those who have violated it with impunity – politicians, contractors, and officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) – must be held accountable. They must return what they have stolen, face the courts of justice, and ultimately, the judgment of God,” he said in his Diocesan Pastoral Statement.
DILG assistance
Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said the PNP is ready to provide security assistance to the DPWH as they conduct their ongoing inspections of major flood control projects.
“We will just be on the security side. We know nothing about forensic infrastructure, but there are threats to people so we are among those lending assistance,” Remulla said in an interview with reporters.
Remulla emphasized that while the PNP was not involved in technical assessments, their presence is essential due to credible security threats surrounding the inspection activities. — Mark Ernest Villeza, Gerry Gorit, Evelyn Macairan, Rainier Allan Ronda