The Armed Forces of the Philippines has placed its units in the Visayas on alert even as military officials assured that the peace and order situation in the Visayan provinces is stable and under control following the declaration of martial law in Mindanao. ADVERTISEMENT“While there is no threat yet in the region, we are on full alert to ensure the safety of the public,” Chief Insp. President Duterte earlier said he might include the Visayas among the areas covered by his martial law declaration if the threat from the Maute group would reach its islands. In Southern Luzon, Lt. General Ferdinand Quidilla, commander of the military’s Southern Luzon Command, placed all military units in Bicol and Southern Tagalog on red alert on Wednesday. Melvin Ramon Buenafe, Bicol police director, said checkpoints were set up along major highways and road networks in the region.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer May 25, 2017 18:00 UTC