AFP to aid PNP during debate

CEBU, Philippines - To monitor “peace and order” situation and ensure a peaceful presidential debate on Sunday, Armed Forces of the Philippines Central Command (CentCom) will deploy at least 100 soldiers to augment Philippine National Police personnel.

Major Abel Potutan, CentCom spokesman, said the additional soldiers will act as an added layer of security during the debate.

According to Potutan, the police will provide primary security and their roles have been defined during the previous meetings with the Com-mission on Elections.

Two civil-disturbance-management platoons and soldiers in full combat gear will be deployed, some of which will be fielded outside the University of the Philippines Cebu campus to prevent any untoward incident.

“Naa tay ibutang sa likod sa UP. May mga possibilities, ato’ng pangandaman ang mga di’ nato maasahan nga panghitabo,” Potutan said.

He added that they are ready in case there are threats during the debate and will act on it.

However, Potutan clarified that there are no reported threats yet.

Environmentalists: Prioritize environmental protection

In line with the debate, Green Thumb Environmental Coalition and Sugbuanong Nagpakabana sa Kalikupan (SNK, or Concerned Cebuanos for the Environment) hosted an event yesterday morning asking the presidential candidates to pay attention to environmental issues.

The event was held at the UP Cebu.

Different sectors such as religious groups, urban poor groups, and university students attended the event, wearing costumes to show support.

Sister Virgie Ligaray, RVM, chairperson of the Association of Women Religious of Cebu (AWROC), who led the opening prayer, said the group decided to host the gathering when they learned that environ-mental issues are to be discussed during the debate.

The group described the action taken by the government toward environmental protection as lacking.

“Experts declare that the existence of our planet (Earth), if we are not really serious of doing something about it, is only about 13 to 14 years, and that would be very sad for our future generation. So we are doing this because we find it as our legacy to the young generation,” Sr. Ligaray told reporters.

Vince Cinches, convener of SNK, said the gathering yesterday was part of a series of other activities they will be doing to push for environmental reforms, adding that they want to remind the candidates that Cebu is leading in terms of environmental protection.

The Philippines has many policies concerning environmental protection but lacks implementation, he said.

On the day of the debate the group plans to gather again, with around 2,000 in different costumes expected to attend.

Cinches clarified, however, that the planned activity is not a protest but a show of support for the debate.

“Karong Domingo, this is not a protest. Ang kalihukan karong Domingo pagsuporta ni siya sa kalihukan sa debate kay kinahanglan hisgutan gyud ang kalikupan, ikaduha pag-awhag o pag-agni sa nagkalain-laing sector nga manginlabot sa political process,” Cinches said, adding that their activity will end before the debate starts.

Traffic preparation

Meanwhile, the Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) started yesterday its preparations for the upcoming debate by implementing “no stopping, no parking” near the UP Cebu.

They also designated a drop-off area for loading and unloading of passengers.

CCTO operations officer, Joy Tumulak, said they will ensure a smooth traffic flow by putting necessary traffic signs.

Seventy to eighty traffic enforcers will be deployed not only in UP but also in other places near the venue.

“Ang amo ra gyud nga function diha sa area is maningkamot mi, among responsibilidad nga walay makabara sa mga sakyanan, so regarding anang tapok-tapok, siguro amo na i-refer ngadto sa kapulisan kay security risk gihapon na sa area pananglitan,” Tumulak said. — (FREEMAN)