AFP preps 2,500 soldiers for possible alerts on Pres. Aquino’s last SONA

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jul 24): AFP preps 2,500 soldiers for possible alerts on Pres. Aquino’s last SONA

This coming Monday, 2,500 personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will be on stand-by as President Benigno Aquino III delivers his final State of the Nation Address (SONA).

On Wednesday, AFP public affairs chief, Lt. Col. Noel Detoyato, said that the soldiers will not be deployed but will only be alerted in their camps.

The General Headquarters, Philippine Army, Air Force, Navy and the Army’s 2nd Infantry Division based in Rizal, will have a battalion or about 500 soldiers each.

The units will include K-9, Explosive Ordnance Disposal teams and Medical Corps.

Detoyato also said they have not monitored any security threat in relation to SONA.

“We do not want to assume anything violent but we are just preparing our troops so if they are requested they will be immediately alerted,” he said.

Notably, the military will only provide support to the PNP, the lead unit for SONA’s security preparations.

“They will be deployed only when requested and necessary because we are only in the support role to the Philippine National Police,” he said.

As to whether they will raise their security alert level, Detoyato said it will be determined later. (AFP).

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/2981437626746/afp-preps-2-500-soldiers-for-possible-alerts-on-pres-aquino-s-last-sona