NCRCOM readies another battalion to thwart power grab plots

By Ronron
February 22, 2008

Another battalion was temporarily formed under the National Capital Region Command (NCRCOM) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to thwart possible attempts to unseat President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

NCRCOM chief Maj. Gen. Fernando Mesa said Friday that the battalion consists of units from the 2nd, 5th and 7th Infantry Divisions who arrived in Manila last Wednesday. The 2nd ID is based in Tanay, Rizal; the 5th ID in Isabela province; and, the 7th ID in Nueva Ecija.

"Said forces will form part of our operational readiness and contingencies to prevent any attempts of power grab, if ever," Mesa told reporters.

He said the more-than-300-strong battalion is separate from the 1st Armored Company of the Philippine Army's Light Armored Division that arrived in Manila last week to augment also the NCRCOM. The 95-strong company arrived with three V150 tanks, three Simba tanks, two Scorpion tanks, one humvee and one six-by-six truck.

The NCRCOM has an inherent strength of about 3,000.

"These additional forces are just intact here. They are available for anti-criminality when requested by NCRPO (National Capital Region Police Office), and they are also available for us to deploy to prevent if ever there will be plans for power grab," Mesa said.

Mesa clarified, however, that for now, they have not yet monitored any concrete power grab plot.

"This (creation of additional forces) is a proactive (measure). Operational readiness is a proactive effort of the Armed Forces of the Philippines… Our operational readiness at the NCRCOM will only aim to preserve democracy, ensure that the Constitution is followed, and that the laws of the land is enforces," he said.

"We would like to warn all those who would cross the line or challenge the duly Constituted-authority that they will be met with the full force of the law," he added.

Calls for the ouster of Arroyo have begun to snowball early this month upon the return to the country of Rodolfo Lozada, Jr., a key witness to the alleged irregularity behind the now-cancelled $329-million National Broadband Network project.

Lozada had implicated former Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos and First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo in the alleged anomaly. But the two denied the allegation.

Mesa said that from his own command, he is assuring that no one is breaking the chain of command.

In the light of the upcoming mass demonstrations, he reminded rally organizers "to police their own ranks so that they will not be infiltrated and have an orderly and peaceful activity."

Mesa assured that should there be soldiers who will take part in power grab plots, "it will not last for five hours" like what happened last November 29 at the Manila Peninsula Hotel.

"If there will be a power grab like what Senator (Antonio) Trillanes did then, we are ready to make immediate action. We will not even wait for an hour to lapse," he said.

Mass actions will start on Monday as the country commemorates the 22nd anniversary of the 1986 People Power Revolution. Another major gathering will be held on February 29 in Makati City to reiterate calls for Arroyo's resignation./DMS