Soldiers back to slum areas in MM

By Ronron
July 10, 2007

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) deployed back Tuesday its troops in Metro Manila for the continuation of civil-military operations (CMO) particularly geared against the proliferation of communism.

CMO Battalion commander Col. Ricardo Visaya of the Philippine Army said some 100 soldiers went back to slum areas in Quezon City and Taguig City past 1 pm yesterday to resume Community Development (CODE) activities.

“After getting approval from Quezon City Mayor Sonny Belmonte and Taguig City Mayor Freddie Tinga, we will be sending back our CODE squads in these two cities today,” Visaya told reporters yesterday morning.

“This time, more vigorous actions will be undertaken to educate the people about CPP (Communist Party of the Philippines) deceptions. They will be taught on how to counter the recruitment of the CPP,” Visaya said.

He said 30 of the soldiers will go to three barangays in Taguig City, while the rest will be spread in six barangays in Quezon City.

“Also, with the nod of Mayor Alfredo Lim, we will return back our soldiers in Manila City probably next week,” said Visaya. The same may also be done in Caloocan City.

The deployment of the first batch of CODE elements from November last year until May of this year was met with criticisms by militant groups and some sectors from the government, particularly the Commission on Human Rights (CHR).

According to the objecting parties, the presence of some 260 soldiers in 19 barangays in the cities of Manila, Taguig, Caloocan and Quezon was reminiscent of the Martial Law days. They also feared that the soldiers will be used in electioneering activities of the military, especially against Left-leaning party-list groups.

But the military maintained that they were just performing their job as protector of the people, and denied the allegations of their critics. In fact, the village leaders themselves were asking for their presence.

Visaya said the new batch of CODE soldiers will still hold dialogues with local residents, even pre-school students, as a strategy in winning the hearts and minds of the populace, aside from engaging in various infrastructure projects and medical missions.

“We will have coordination talks with children. We have to win the next generation. I will go to the day care centers. This is what you call winning the next generation,” Visaya said.

He said the soldiers will be wearing their General Office Attires (GOA) so they will be properly recognized by the residents, and they will be allowed to carry their short firearms for self-protection.

It can be recalled that an Army soldier died early this year in Tondo, Manila City while in the act of responding to a crime. The suspect shot the soldier.

Visaya said if the barangay captains cannot provide shelter to the CODE soldiers, the latter will just stay in temporary tents.

Asked how long will the troop immersion be, Visaya said: “We will be in these areas until we are sure that the residents can already defend themselves.”

He disclosed that the CPP has recently created U-Watch (University in Urban Watch) teams to monitor the activities of the soldiers. But he said the AFP is not afraid.

“In fact, I am inviting them to be present in all our engagements. Contrary to their claim that we are curtailing people’s freedom, we are giving them freedom – freedom to live on their own and not be used by anyone for selfish motives,” Visaya said./DMS