An official of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Saturday there are signs that some government opponents are planning to make new destabilization moves again against President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, according to the official Philippine News Agency.
"There may be a little noise but our position is that we cannot be off guard, we have to be prepared. There are signs, there are signs (for destabilization)," Armed Forces vice chief of staff Lt. Gen. Antonio Romero was quoted as saying by the news agency.
Romero did not elaborate on the signs but reports by military intelligence said some "groups" are plotting to launch fresh destabilization moves as an anti-graft court's is expected to announce its verdict on the plunder case of former President Joseph Estrada soon.
Estrada has been accused of plundering millions of U.S. dollars of state assets and has been unde house arrest since he was ousted from power in early 2001. He has denied the accusation.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Senate has re-opened investigation of the "Hello Garci" scandal, which is based on allegations by the opposition that Arroyo cheated in the 2004 presidential elections.
The military also has declared a nationwide red alert after Dutch police arrested the exiled leader of the Communist Party of the Philippines founder Jose Maria Sison Tuesday in the Netherlands.
The military said the red alert is mainly related to the anticipation of possible retaliatory attacks the New People's Army (NPA) left-wing rebels in response to the arrest.
Source: Xinhua
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