Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 7) – The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Saturday denied placing its units on full alert due to an alleged “destabilization” plot in the military.
PNP spokesperson Jean Fajardo said there is no truth to a memorandum circulating online that the highest alert status has been raised amid issues in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo.
Fajardo, however, confirmed that the PNP is on heightened alert in preparation for the Feast of the Black Nazarene — an event seen to draw tens of thousands of devotees on Jan. 9.
“Ang dineclare po natin officially ay naka-heightened alert tayo. Kasi ngayon po ang start ng ating activities relating to Traslacion,” Fajardo told reporters.
[Translation: What we officially declared is a heightened alert status, because today is the start of the activities relating to Traslacion.]
“As far as the PNP is concerned, we haven’t received any information relating sa mga [to] destabilization plot,” she added.
Photos of armored vehicles inside the PNP headquarters in Camp Crame also made rounds on social media. But Fajardo clarified that they are also part of security for the Black Nazarene feast.
READ: What to expect in the 2023 Black Nazarene feast celebration sans Traslación
A copy of the supposed police memo showed that the full alert order will be carried out “in view of the resignation of all Department of National Defense personnel in Camp Aguinaldo.”
Fajardo said PNP chief Rodolfo Azurin Jr. has already ordered an investigation to determine the source of the viral document. She also advised the public not to readily believe unverified information.
The AFP also shot down the destabilization rumors — which spread after the surprise leadership change in the military.
