AFP crowd control units on stand-by for 'Black Friday' protest actions

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 24): AFP crowd control units on stand-by for 'Black Friday' protest actions

If needed, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will deploy crowd control units to secure the "Black Friday" protest actions in Rizal Park, Manila.

This is in wake of the Nov. 18 interment of former president Ferdinand E. Marcos at the "Libingan Ng Mga Bayani" in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

However, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) public affairs office chief Col. Edgard Arevalo said they have yet to receive any augmentation request from the Philippine National Police.

He added that these units, numbering some 200 troops, are on stand-by-- meaning they will be only deployed if needed.

And if not, these soldiers will remain at their headquarters, Arevalo stressed.

And when asked if they expect Friday's rally to be violent, the military said they are hoping for the best.

"We're hoping for the best but we are preparing to be deployed and to perform what we will be asked to peform in terms of maintaining order, in terms of maintaining discipline in areas where the exercise of freedom of expression (is allowed) but this is in observance of their responsibility to ensure that it will be peaceful and orderly and in accordance with respect to other people," Arevalo stressed.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=943002