MANILA, March 6 (Xinhuanet) -- The Philippine military on Monday announced the withdrawal of soldiers deployed in key Metro Manila areas, following the lift of Presidential Proclamation 1017 that declared the state of national emergency, according to local radio DZMM reports.

    Capt. Ramon Sagala, spokesman of the National Capital Region Defense Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), was quoted by the radio as saying that the AFP has decided to pull out the troops after security threats against the government waned.

    He said soldiers assigned in some areas in Metro Manila will be sent back to AFP headquarters Camp Aguinaldo and their respective mother units in the provinces outside the capital. Augmentation forces from the Philippine National Police will also be withdrawn.

    Soldiers from AFP units in the provinces were sent to guard Metro Manila following President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's declaration to impose the state of national emergency on February 24.

    Arroyo said Proclamation 1017 was implemented after intelligence operatives and the military confirmed that a coup plot has been hatched against the President. Several military officers and civilians were implicated in the plot. They have been charged in court.

    At the height of troop deployments, contingents of soldiers and policemen were sent to guard television stations and newspaper offices against rebel forces allegedly out to seize and control broadcast and print facilities.

    The state of emergency was lifted by the President last Friday.Enditem