No pull out, no addition, just improved security measures for troops deployed in MM following death of soldier last Saturday

By Ronron
April 2, 2007

There will no pull out of troops, or addition of the same to those deployed in slum areas in Metro Manila following the killing last Saturday of a soldier in Tondo District, Manila City.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) National Capital Region Command (NCRCom) chief Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ben Dolorfino said Monday the security measures for the 26 teams of nine to 10 soldiers each deployed in 19 barangays all over the capital will just be enhanced in response to the incident.

“On our part, we issued additional security guidelines. They don’t necessarily have to bring long firearms. But, in terms of being security conscious, (just) for them to be with somebody else if they go to a delicate place,” Dolorfino said.

“Then, also (for them) to be vigilant always because of the intelligence report that the New People’s Army is planning to reactivate their sparrow units,” he added.

Staff Sergeant Rowell Papa-an was shot dead by suspected criminals last Saturday afternoon after responding to a reported hold-up incident in Parola Compound in Tondo.

The suspects managed to escape after the incident.

Dolorfino said Papa-an at that time was not armed because he was carrying some materials to his jeep. He said the soldier was also confident he could physically subdue any criminal since he is a martial arts expert.

He hailed Papa-an’s courageous act as that of a hero since it showed the AFP’s “sincere commitment to serve and protect our countrymen in the depressed communities.”

“He did not act only as a soldier but more than that. As a responsible citizen of this country, he effected what is called Citizen’s Arrest. That is the heroism he showed the entire nation,” Dolorfino said of Papa-an.

Dolorfino said the killing of Papa-an in fact boosted the morale of other soldiers.

Asked if the incident should be cause for the pull-out of the troops or their augmentation, Dolorfino said: “I don’t think so. We will continue on having the same number of personnel in these areas.”

But he said come election day on May 14, the AFP leadership might consider recalling the soldiers temporarily.

“Our plan is if we will pull them out, we will conduct refresher training. We will have a critique of what they have been doing so we can further improve our operations,” said Dolorfino.

The government soldiers, who are under the Philippine Army’s Civil Military Operations (CMO) battalion, have been deployed in 19 slum areas in Caloocan, Taguig, Quezon and Manila cities since November of last year.

Their deployment was criticized by some sectors as it allegedly violates civil liberties of the people.

But barangay chairmen in the areas were the soldiers are deployed, as well as some residents, have sought for their continued stay, saying it is doing good for the communities./DMS