More military personnel to be deployed in metropolis

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 12): More military personnel to be deployed in metropolis

More officers and enlisted personnel of the military's Joint Task Force-National Capital Region (JTF-NCR) will be deployed to ensure safety in the metropolis in preparation for two important events that the country will host next year.

JTF-NCR deputy commander Col. Victor Tomas said the size of their contingent might grow bigger as major international and local events are expected to take place.

"We are expecting our (contingent) size to grow large due to events that will take place like the Metro Manila Film Festival (this December) and Ms. Universe, Black Nazarene Procession and ASEAN (Summit) next year," Tomas said.

Two days after the Davao City blast, which killed 14 people and wounded more than 60 others, 200 officers and enlisted personnel were deployed in five of Metro Manila's police districts to help in the ongoing check point and visibility patrols.

The 200-strong JTF-NCR contingent is composed of Army, Air Force, Navy personnel along with K-9 and bomb disposal units.

Tomas said that they also have a stand-by force to help the police in possible contingencies.

"We would like to inform everybody that they should feel safe with the presence of both police and military, they have nothing to fear as this is not martial law," Tomas said.

Following the Davao City attack, President Rodrigo Duterte declared a "State of National Emergency on Account of Lawless Violence in Mindanao" which authorized the military to help the police in its peacekeeping and anti-terror operations.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=922256