Soldiers due in Manila City this week

By Ronron
July 16, 2007

Army troops tasked to carry out civil military operations in slum areas in the capital are expected to be redeployed in Manila City anytime this week, following the redeployment last week of their fellow soldiers in Taguig City and Caloocan City.

Armed Forces National Capital Region Command (NCRCom) chief Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ben Dolorfino said Monday that 14 teams of 10 Army troopers each will go to 14 barangays in Manila City upon the go-signal of the national military headquarters.

Dolorfino said the redeployment of troops for Manila City has already been approved by Manila City Mayor Alfredo Lim.

“Each team will have two policemen trained on community relations,” Dolorfino said.

Last week, the military sent off some 70 soldiers for six areas in Quezon City, and 30 others for three areas in Taguig City.

Dolorfino said the redeployment for Caloocan City, which will complete the process, is just awaiting the approval of the local chief executive. But he is confident of a positive development, based on the previous case.

Dolorfino said the immersion of soldiers in Metro Manila is part of the military’s role in nation-building and is consistent with their constitutional role in protecting the State and the people.

He said soldiers will hold dialogues with local residents and officials to learn their concerns, especially on security matters, so as to win their hearts and minds against ideologies being pushed by Left-leaning and other anti-government groups.

Asked if the soldiers can also be utilized in monitoring people or groups that have plans to violate the Human Security Act of 2007 or the Anti-Terrorism Law, Dolorfino said: “Maybe, indirectly but the main intent is for civil-military operations.”

“If they get some information like presence of people planning to do untoward acts, they can relay to law enforcement unit like the Philippine National Police,” he added.

The HSA took effect last Sunday.

Dolorfino did not say how long will the troops be immersed in the communities but the previous deployment last for six months, from November last year up to May.

The deployment of troops in the capital was met with lots of criticisms especially that it happened during pre-election period and at a time when the anti-terrorism law was about to be implemented./DMS