PNP lowers alert level, sees no credible threat vs nat’l government

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has downgraded the heightened alert that was declared last Friday in response to protest rallies staged by the political opposition in Makati and other parts of the metropolis.

Metro police chief Director Vidal Querol said they foresee no immediate and credible threat against the present government.

Vidal also doubts that the political opposition can muster enough forces at the rallies in their effort to force President Arroyo to step down.

Querol issued the statements during his stop-over at Camp Crame, where he briefed PNP chief Director General Arturo Lomibao of the situation.

"Hanggang doon na lang sila," Querol said, referring to the less than expected number of anti-government protesters who attended last Friday’s rally organized by Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay.

Police placed the number of anti-government rallyists at only 3,500. Binay said some 20,000 to 30,000 people took to the streets.

Bro. Eddie Villanueva’s prayer rally, as reported by the PNP anti-rally monitoring team, also failed to assemble a large enough crowd.

"The public can now go back to their daily routines. We don’t foresee any credible threat against the government," Querol said. "They tried it during the FPJ funeral march, they tried it last week at Welcome Rotonda, and they tried it yesterday (Friday), but these anti-government rallies aimed at undermining the present government has failed come close to the crowds at EDSA I and EDSA II."

Querol’s pronouncements were made after the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) vowed it would not hesitate to crush all attempts to topple the present government.

The National Capital Region Command (NCRCOM), which has about 3,000 men, has been placed on standby alert due to persistent destabilization reports.

The military raised the warning after intelligence reports bared that several disgruntled military officers were plotting to launch a coup.

Headed by Lt. Gen. Alan Cabalquinto, the NCRCOM’s main task is to protect the seat of the national government.