MANILA, July 13 (Xinhuanet) -- The Philippine military said on Wednesday that it will not be forced into supporting the opposition's efforts to oust President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in an unconstitutional way despite a huge anti-Arroyo rally being organized by the opposition in Metro Manila.

    "The AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) will continue to support constitutional process and abide by the chain of command. The military organization maintains its apolitical and non partisan stance," said military spokesman Jose Angel Honrado.

    He said the 117,000-strong military leadership will continue tostay "apolitical" in the ongoing political turmoil.

    "The AFP will not yield to any pressure from anti-government groups and the political opposition and aid efforts to unconstitutionally change our country's leadership," he said.

    "It will be best for the AFP not to meddle in the current political crisis besetting our country. The military organization has not been distracted from its primary duty: to protect the people, secure the sovereignty of the state and the integrity of national territory," Honrado added.

    The military has played a role in the ouster of former president Ferdinand Marcos in 1986 and Joseph Estrada in 2001. During the term of former president Cory Aquino, some officers of the military staged several coups but failed to oust Aquino.

    The military has declared a nationwide red alert Tuesday night in anticipation of violence that may be committed by leftwing rebel forces and terrorist forces. Enditem