Philippine police on heightened alert as president leaves for Thailand

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has been placed in heightened alert starting Thursday following the departure of President Benigno S. Aquino III for a two-day state visit to Thailand.

Police spokesman Senior Supt. Agrimero Cruz Jr. said the heightened alert was raised effective 10:00 a.m., local time. Full alert remains in southern Philippines, including the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao.

"All Unit Commanders are reminded to secure all PNP camps and offices, vital installations, economic key points and places of convergence of people and are given the discretion to upgrade their alert level based on the prevailing peace and order situation in their respective areas of responsibility," he said.

Aquino left for Bangkok this morning. He was accompanied by Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo and Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Secretary Ricky Carandang.

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