MANILA, May 12 (PNA) — With the May 9 elections successfully concluded in most parts of the country, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has downgraded its red alert status to blue Wednesday afternoon.

This took place 5:00 p.m., said AFP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla.

By declaring blue alert, only 50 percent of all available troops and assets are required to be inside camp for immediate deployment in case of possible emergencies or contingencies.

In contrast, red alert requires 100 percent availability of all troops and equipment.

The AFP placed all its units in red alert starting midnight of May 7.

“We are now shifting our focus from election operations to internal security operations. However, the Unified Commands of the AFP remain to have the prerogative to implement security adjustments in their areas of responsibility as they see fit,” acting AFP chief-of-staff Lt. Gen. Glorioso Miranda said.

Also, security efforts will remain intensive in areas where the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has declared the conduct of special elections on Saturday.

COMELEC Resolution No. 10129 said there were a total of 52 clustered precincts from 11 towns, mostly in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and Eastern Visayas where no elections were held on Monday due to problems in the ballots and security concerns.

“Due to this, many of our line units are committed in ensuring that the rest of the country gets to freely and safely cast their votes,” he added.

Miranda stressed that the AFP, as professional military organization, respects the choice of the Filipino people and will remain solid behind the Constitution and other democratic institutions.

“We will follow our Commander-in-Chief and will implement the new President’s peace and security policies, especially those that will bring the conflicts that ail the country for decades to their just end,” he added. (PNA)