NEWSFLASH

NO NEED FOR STATE OF EMERGENCY IN MINDANAO -- PALACE

Malacanang, May 4, 2000 - The government says there is no need to declare a state of emergency in Mindanao, saying that resorting to this unnecessary move may send the wrong signals to the international community.

Executive Secretary Ronaldo Zamora said the government can handle the situation in the South.

"Di pa kailangan yon (We don't need to declare a state of emergency). We don't want to send the wrong signals," Zamora said in a radio interview.

Secretary Orlando Mercado of the Department of National Defense (DND), in a separate radio interview, reassured Mindanao residents Thursday that government remains on top of the situation despite isolated incidents of bombings in the South.

Mercado said police and military forces are keeping watch over airports, power plants and other vital installations to guard against attempts by terrorists to sabotage these facilities.

Zamora said police and military forces continue to keep the peace in Mindanao and foil attacks by armed groups like the Abu Sayyaf and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

"We are doing what we are doing because we are a government assigned to protect its territory," he said.