Threat To RP's Security Recedes, Authorities Say

The security situation in the country during the next 24 hours will determine whether or not the state of national emergency -- now on its seventh day -- will be lifted immediately or later.

Indications, however, are that the three government agencies ordered by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to make an assessment of the overall security situation will recommend the lifting of Presidential Proclamation 1017, or the state of national emergency.

Justice Secy. Raul Gonzalez told reporters Thursday that his team is leaning towards "recommending the lifting of the Proclamation 1017 to the President.

Yesterday, the President directed Gonzalez, Defense Secy. Avelino Cruz and Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Arturo Lomibao to determine whether the security situation throughout the country already warrants the lifting of the state of emergency.

Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said the determination of whether the threats against the country’s security have been contained, and the probability of resurgence, will rest upon the information and assessments of concerned authorities.

"All may rest assured that the President will act in the best interest of our people," Bunye said.

The Gonzalez-Cruz-Lomibao team was given 24 to 72 hours to submit their recommendations to the President following the failed coup against the government by Leftist rebels, military adventurists and opposition politicians.

The attempt to topple the administration was timed with the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution last week."If (the situation) continues to normalize, we will recommend the lifting" of Proclamation 1017," Cruz said.

"I am confident domestic tranquility will continue to normalize," Lomibao said.

Gonzalez, however, pointed out that the final decision on when Proclamation 1017 would be lifted rests entirely with the President.

"It will be a judgment call of the President, who has other sources of information but we are sure she is aware of the present situation," Gonzalez said.

The three officials stressed that their agencies will remain vigilant, with or without Proclamation 1017.

Cruz dislosed the assessment made by his department was based on the report of AFP chief of staff Gen. Generoso Senga, who said that the problem in the Marines and Scout Rangers headquarters had been resolved.

"The plotters that sought to undermine the government have been thwarted…a significant number of them have been exposed and we continue to monitor developments even after the situation subsides," Gonzalez said.

"We can now get back to our important mission of serving the majority," Lomibao said.

Gonzalez said that if the President lifts Proclamation 1017, destabilizers could still be dealt with effectively in accordance with the Constitution and the Revised Penal Code.