HAGUPIT | Soldiers deployed to 'prevent looting' - AFP

From InterAksyon (Dec 6): HAGUPIT | Soldiers deployed to 'prevent looting' - AFP

 The Armed Forces of the Philippines confirmed on Saturday that the deployment of soldiers to urban centers, particularly “critical areas” like Tacloban City, is as much to “prevent looting” as to assist with preemptive evacuations ahead of typhoon “Hagupit” (local name: “Ruby”).

AFP chief of staff General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. “has directed the area commanders to augment the police (who) are securing urban centers. The soldiers will help our police counterparts in maintaining peace and order, and prevent looting incidents,” military spokesman Colonel Restituto Padilla Jr. said in a statement.

The statement was issued following a military briefing for National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council executive director Alexander Pama on the military’s disaster response operations Saturday morning.

On Friday, soldiers and at least one armored personnel carrier were deployed to downtown Tacloban, where they stood guard at a shopping mall.

“We advise the public not to be alarmed by the presence of military vehicles and personnel in their areas. They are deployed to help in preparations for typhoon Ruby, particularly in helping people who need to be evacuated to safer places,” Padilla said.

After Tacloban was devastated by super typhoon Yolanda last year, with no government relief immediately available, desperate residents of the city began to take food and other essential items from commercial establishments to survive.

Major Emmanuel Garcia, Commander of the AFP Civil Relations Service, added that National Food Authority warehouses will be secured by soldiers and police, even as the AFP has additional water sanitation teams on standby and additional troops have been sent to DSWD repacking centers to assist with the logistics.

Central Command based in Cebu City reported that its troops are conducting security patrols to protect business establishments in Leyte and Samar, with the Philippine Army 8th Infantry Division (Leyte-Samar area) dedicating 1,171 personnel and 638 reservists for rescue and relief operations, plus 6,601 "follow-on" forces plus 604 reservists on standby status.

Souther Luzon Command in the Bicol region has deployed troops to reinforce measures aimed at preventing looting and other crime and more troops ready to be dispatched to the island provinces of Romblon, Mindoro, Marinduque, Masbate and Catanduanes.

Western Command in Palawan, for its part, reported that pre-loaded relief goods are on board two Navy, two Coast Guard and two Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources vessels for deployment to affected areas after the storm passes. Additionally, its soldiers and local police units are securing food outlets and accounting tourists for safety purposes.

Northern Luzon Command, based in Central and Northern Luzon, meanwhile, stands ready to reinforce troops in the Visayas and the island provinces.

The US embassy has offered nine C-130 transport aircraft, three P-3C Orion planes for air assessment and monitoring, medical and relief workers and other support if needed. Other foreign armed forces also offering help, said the AFP.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/100621/soldiers-deployed-to-prevent-looting---afp