Philippine military pulls out some troops from Metro Manila as tension lowers

The National Capital Region (NCR) Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Sunday pulled out some of the troops deployed in key areas in Metro Manila and called on AFP chief to lift the red alert status in the capital.

NCR command spokesman Ramon Zagala said the troops were deployed mainly for the Independence Day celebrations on Sunday.

He was referring to the 70tth Combat Group of the Air Force under the operational control of the NCR command.

Zagala said the troops pulled out were deployed at the Quirino grandstand, the Intramurous old town and the North Cemetery during the Independence Day celebration on Sunday to mark the 107th anniversary of the country's independence from Spanish colonial rule.

On when the other troops deployed in the capital region would be pulled out, Zagala said, "They will stay put. That depends on the chief of staff (Efren Abu)."Abu has yet to approve NCR command chief Allan Cabalquinto's recommendation to lift the red alert in the capital region, declared last week in anticipation of mass rallies against the government amid rumored destabilization attempts.

The other troops were deployed near the North Luzon Expressway,the South Luzon Expressway and Coastal road in Metro Manila. The deployed soldiers are from the Marine Battalion Landing Team 1 of the AFP.

Zagala said the Marine troops were deployed at the entry points to Metro Manila, primarily to check people who might enter the metropolis to join anti-government rallies during the Independence Day celebrations.

The commander of the NCR Cabalquinto Sunday recommended to AFP chief Efren Abu for the lifting of the red alert status, the highest alert level, citing reduced threats in the metropolis.

Source: Xinhua