Camp Aguinaldo beefs up armored force

Eight tanks and a machinegun-mounted Humvee will arrive today at Armed Forces headquarters at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City to reinforce troops in Metro Manila during the oath-taking and inauguration of President Arroyo at the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park in Manila on Wednesday.

On its way to Camp Aguinaldo from the Light Armored Brigade headquarters in Capas, Tarlac, the convoy of tanks was escorted by troops on a military truck, and police patrol cars.

Comparing them to knives, Armed Forces spokesman Lt. Col Daniel Lucero said the tanks could be used for "surgical operation, for chopping, or stabbing and killing" the enemy.

"Maraming uses yan," he said. "Yung knife pwede pang opera, panghiwa at panaksak."

However, he described the troop movement as "regular," asking the public not to be alarmed when they see tanks rolling down the North Luzon Expressway toward Metro Manila.

Meanwhile, a police official warned anti-government protesters yesterday that anti-riot policemen will disperse them if they fail to present a mayor’s permit upon demand.

Chief Superintendent Joel Goltiao, Philippine National Police spokesman, said intelligence agents are monitoring the movements of key opposition leaders, particularly those closely identified with Fernando Poe Jr., Koalisyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino (KNP) standard bearer.

"Wala naman kaming nakalap na intelligence report, except ng mga supporter ni FPJ na magra-rally daw," he said.

Goltiao said police will continue to conduct "security measures" in high-risk areas, particularly in Makati City, whose mayor, Jejomar Binay, is an opposition stalwart.

Some 2,000 anti-riot policemen and an undetermined number of combat troops will be deployed at Rizal Park during Mrs. Arroyo’s oath-taking and inauguration on Wednesday, he added. — Jaime Laude