AFP bracing for ‘worst-case’ scenario if Erap is convicted

The Armed Forces of the Philippines is preparing for a “worst-case scenario" in case the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan convicts former President Joseph Estrada of plunder. Maj. Gen. Ben Mohammad Dolorfino, chief of the AFP National Capital Region Command, said the military is preparing for a situation similar to the May 1, 2001, siege of the presidential palace by Estrada supporters. “Those are things that we want to prevent because it might lead to widespread rioting or looting," Dolorfino said on Monday. “To maintain peace and order, we have to do something," he added. Dolorfino said he has been coordinating with the National Capital Region Police Office for contingency measures. "We will be testing corresponding actions of units in reaction to scenarios that will be given to them," he said, adding that “continuous communication" with the police is “very important." Security will be tightened around the presidential palace, he said. Dolorfino said the military will deploy 2,000 soldiers to assist the police in maintaining peace and order in the capital when the the Sandiganbayan hands its verdict. Estrada supporters are expecting the verdict to be out this week or anytime September. Dolorfino said he expects the anti-graft court to inform the military and the police when the verdict comes out for security reasons. “It is always incumbent on our part to anticipate things that might happen. That is the object of our preparations – impending events that might lead to the deterioration of peace and order," Dolorfino said. Violence may erupt Dolorfino said violence could erupt even if Estrada is acquitted of the plunder charge filed against him. "[An acquittal] will also cause mass action, although it will vary in magnitude. If [Estrada] is found guilty, it is expected that the mass action will be bigger," he said. Dolorfino refused to confirm reports about rumors of a destabilization plot against the Arroyo administration in connection with the forthcoming verdict in the Estrada plunder case. “What I am saying is that we are anticipating possible things that might happen and we have been preparing for this so that we can maintain peace, order and stability in the National Capital Region," Dolorfino said. On possibilities that a faction of the military will take part in mass actions, Dolorfino said: “Any group that has an agenda could ride on the event because [the handing down of verdict] can be a unifying factor." “We cannot really say categorically that some may take advantage [of the situation]. It remains to be seen and it can be a focus of our intelligence efforts to prevent such thing from happening." - GMANews.TV