More soldiers, cops to be deployed ahead of polls

The military on Sunday advised the public to stay calm if ever they see an extraordinary number of soldiers and policemen on the streets in the following days. Army spokesman Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres said the deployment of more security forces is in connection with the conduct of the first ever nationwide automated elections on May 10. “To our countrymen, they should not be surprised if there will be more deployment of our soldiers in tandem with the Philippine National Police in the coming days," Torres said. He did not elaborate on the number of soldiers and policemen that will be deployed, and on what particular areas the deployment will be concentrated. Torres gave the advise amid reports of a military junta taking over the government in case the May 10 elections fail – a scenario made rife when President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo appointed members of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA class of 1978 to key positions in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). President Arroyo, an honorary member of PMA class of 1978, had survived at least three cases of military adventurism. Her critics have been accusing her of exerting all efforts to be able to prolong her stay in Malacañang, an accusation her officials have repeatedly denied. In the hands of Comelec Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales has put the entire military at the disposal of the Commission on Elections (Comelec), a deviation from a 2006 memorandum of agreement limiting the soldiers’ election roles to spare them from partisan politics. Torres said more checkpoints would be established while security would be tightened in public areas including shopping centers. He said this is to curb the proliferation of loose firearms. “We are appealing to everybody to understand that we are doing all these things not to make life harder for you or to your day to day activities," he said. Torres said the Army has declared blue alert since last Thursday as part of the measures for the elections. “We are now on blue alert and this kind of alert will be maintained in military units [for the meantime]," he said. The alert level would be raised to red – the highest in the military’s three-tiered alert level scheme – before election day. “As we near the election date, we are definitely going to declare red alert, meaning all leaves and passes of our soldiers will be suspended and all of the military personnel would be expected to be in the camp, ready to be deployed when needed," he said. Limitations Torres said Army chief Lt. Gen. Reynaldo Mapagu, a member of PMA class of 1978, has been going around Army camps to remind Army officers and men of their role in keeping the elections safe and orderly. He said troops were also reminded of their limitations. “We will continue reminding them until the election date. That’s the role of our commanders. They are going to tire in reminding our troops…to ensure that all understand what they should do in the elations. Our role in on the internal security operations," he said. - KBK, GMANews.TV