By PNA and U.S. News Agency / Asian

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is prepared to provide units that will help the police in securing Metro Manila against possible threats this coming Oct. 1 to 10.

“With or without this issuance of warning, the AFP will continue its fight against all forms of terrorism and violence in the country through an intensified internal security operations,” AFP spokesman, Col. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos, Jr. said.

On Friday, the US Embassy in Manila came out with an emergency message warning its nationals that “a threat against American citizens in Metropolitan Manila, specifically the Pasay City neighborhood, has been detected by reliable security forces.”

It said that the threat remains in effect between Oct. 1 and 10 and urged all American citizens to exercise extreme caution in their daily routine and to maintain extra awareness regarding their own security; and as much as possible, maintain a low profile; vary travel routes and social routines; consider cancelling any American gatherings, celebrations or observations that could be construed as American events; and report any perceived security concern to Philippine authorities.

US Ambassador Harry Thomas, Jr., has also ordered an augmented security profile for all US government facilities in the National Capital Region.

An embassy official also admitted that the information on the threat to US citizens in the country did not come from the AFP nor the Philippine National Police.

During the weekend, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom also issued an updated travel warnings to their nationals in the Philippines.

The travel warnings were placed under the category of “terrorism”.

In response to these developments, Burgos said that the AFP “respect the show of concern of the UK, Canadian, Australian, and US governments in their issuance of warning for their citizens in the country.”

“It is their right and responsibility to warn and caution their citizens from terrorist threats,” he said.

“We in the AFP assure that we remain firm in our commitment to secure and protect not only the Filipino citizens but also foreign nationals in the country.”

Burgos said the AFP maintains close coordination and linkages with the Philippine National Police (PNP) through the enhanced Joint Peace and Security Coordinating Councils.