AFP, PNP step up anti-poll violence patrols

MANILA, Philippines - The Armed Forces of the Philippines National Capital Region Command (NCRCOM) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) increased their visibility patrols around Metro Manila starting yesterday to prevent election-related crimes.

NCRCOM commander Rear Admiral Feliciano Angue said they are acquiring 12 additional motorcycles and a number of multi-cabs to support the two companies (around 200 soldiers) that were deployed in the metropolis to perform election-related tasks.

“The Comelec (Commission on Elections) said we might need to increase our visibility patrols effective April 10. We will be in tandem with the NCRPO (National Capital Region Police Office),” Angue told reporters in Camp Aguinaldo.

“The patrols will monitor Metro Manila areas where there are intense rivalries among political candidates,” he added.

Angue said each motorcycle can carry two soldiers. He said the NCRPO will also dispatch 12 motorcycles to augment the patrolling teams.

“On a 24/7 basis, there will be teams who will conduct rounds… The visibility patrols can deter bad elements from sowing disorder,” he said.

The NCRCOM chief said patrolling personnel may be divided into three shifts, each of them lasting for eight hours. Angue said each personnel will be provided with uniforms that would make them identifiable.

“I will be responsible for any misbehavior of any of the NCRCOM troops…We will make them identifiable so the public can easily raise their concerns to us,” he said.

Angue said the Comelec requested increased troop visibility since it is concerned about the possible escalation of election-related violence. He cited as example the recent developments in Makati, where a supporter of a mayoralty bet was killed by an unidentified gunman.

“Let us not mention personalities…We have yet to prove whether such incident was election-related but we think it would help if we increase our visibility,” Angue said.

He said they have enough troops to secure the metropolis but revealed that two additional battalions from peacekeeping units will soon assist them in ensuring peaceful polls.

“Those who came home from peacekeeping missions will be assigned to us for election duties instead of returning them to their respective major services. It will be a big boost for us,” he added.

Angue said they have also established around 40 checkpoints in Metro Manila to enforce the election gun ban and to combat terrorism.