Cops, troops to patrol Metro Manila to prevent poll violence

Soldiers and policemen in motorcycles will start patrolling Metro Manila on Saturday to prevent poll-related violence in the area, a military official said Friday. At least 24 motorcycles carrying two soldiers each will go around Metro Manila in shifts starting Saturday after the Commission on Elections requested increased police visibility in the area, Armed Forces National Capital Region Command chief Rear Admiral Feliciano Angue told reporters on Friday. The soldiers will be accompanied by two more motorcycle-riding policemen from the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), he added. "They will go around Metro Manila, especially in areas where there are some sort of misunderstanding or bickering involving our candidates, just like what was reported in Makati," Angue said. Angue was referring to an incident in Makati last week where a supporter of mayoral candidate Jejomar Erwin Binay Jr. was shot dead in front of his own house by a still unidentified gunman. Angue said the deployment of armed soldiers and policemen around Metro Manila is to prevent similar election-related incidents from happening. "We are not going to mention personalities, of course, because this is not yet proven… This is to prevent further incidents from happening so we are escalating our visibility patrols. This is also to deter bad elements from sowing violence," he said. At least 240 soldiers have already been deployed in Metro Manila to ensure peace and order during the election period, according to Angue. — with Andreo Calonzo/RSJ, GMANews.TV