PNP back to normal alert; AFP still on red alert

The National Police has downgraded its alert to normal level in all parts of the country after assessing the nationwide security situation, its spokesman said Friday. Chief Superintendent Samuel Pagdilao Jr said the normal level took effect at 6 p.m. Friday. The PNP went on red alert at 11 a.m. Thursday due to the takeover of the Manila Peninsula Hotel in Makati City by the Magdalo group, Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim and other civilian sympathizers. Earlier in the day, National Police chief Director General Avelino Razon Jr said the situation has returned back to normal, they do not even see the need to re-impose the curfew that was imposed early Friday in Metro Manila, Region 3 and Region IV-A. The curfew, Razon said, was implemented to limit the movements of possible sympathizers of Senator Antonio Trillanes IV. But he reported that none of the 872 nabbed violators of the curfew were found to be supporters of Trillanes. On the part of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, information chief Lt. Col. Barolome Bacarro said the red alert status is still in effect as of posting time. - GMANews.TV