PNP lowers alert level

The Philippine National Police (PNP) lowered yesterday its alert status from "red" to "heightened alert."

However, Chief Superintendent Enrique Galang, PNP deputy chief for operations, said the police will continue to monitor unauthorized movement of troops.

"It is suffice to say that we have appropriate actions to address any effort, whether disinformation or not," he said.

Galang said the setting up of checkpoints in strategic points in Metro Manila is part of the police action to check on troop movements,

"These will monitor the possible unauthorized troop movements," he said. "These will report any sightings of unauthorized troop movements. Our first effort is to monitor troop movements."

Galang said half of the PNP’s 113,000-strong force nationwide has been ordered to be on alert for another military mutiny.

Meanwhile, Galang said police will pick up Sen. Gregorio Honasan once a court has issued a warrant for his arrest.

"If the warrant will be issued, it would be the time to look for him and serve the warrant," he said.

The police have no "shoot-to-kill" order for Honasan but that they will be forced to defend themselves if the senator resists arrest, he added. — Mike Frialde