AFP to guard pipes, water rationing queues

At least two military battalions, with around 500 personnel each, will be assigned to guard water pipes and maintain peace and order among the people lining up to receive their water rations in Metro Manila. Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Brigadier General Jose Mabanta made this announcement on Thursday, emphasizing the importance of maintaining security, especially in highly-populated areas, where violent incidents have broken out as consumers waited for their water rations. "(The kind of ) security that is required from us is to see to it that the distribution becomes orderly and is performed well," he said. Mabanta said the AFP is still awaiting specific orders from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) but personnel from the National Capital Region (NCR) Command "are ready to be deployed," Military personnel "will just be involved in security," and will "probably to see to it that the people in the area will not push each other," he added. Mabanta also assured that the deployment will not affect AFP operations. Although members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) are sometimes involved in these duties, the AFP is prepared to fill in the gap, Mabanta said. "The rains are coming and this will be a problem of the past," he said. - RJAB Jr./VVP, GMANews.TV