Palace defends deployment of Marines in Metro Manila

Malacañang justified yesterday the deployment of Marines in Metro Manila, saying the move is intended to preserve peace and is not part of any grand scheme to impose martial law or declare a state of emergency.

At a press briefing, acting Press Secretary Mike Toledo refuted claims by the political opposition that the deployment of the Armed Forces’ best close-quarters fighting force as peacekeepers in the metropolis was simply a smoke screen for eventual military rule.

"As far as the Palace is concerned, martial law or the declaration of a state of emergency is definitely not in the mind of President Estrada," Toledo said.

The President earlier gave his blessings for the deployment of some 200 Marine troopers to support police forces securing major transport infrastructure and vital government facilities.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Panfilo Lacson requested the assistance of the military following a spate of bombings Saturday that left at least 17 people dead and nearly a hundred wounded.

The Marines would be highly visible at Light Rail Transit (LRT) and Metro Rail Transit (MRT) terminals and in the coaches as well.

"Incidents like the one last Saturday require a response from the government. The Marines have been asked to provide additional security," Toledo stressed.

He pointed out that this was not the first time military troops were called in to back up Metro Manila’s police forces.

Following separate bombing incidents at the popular Glorietta in Makati City and Megamall in Ortigas, Mandaluyong City in May last year, 500 Marines were briefly deployed in Metro Manila’s commercial establishments to deter further attacks. The bombings took place at the height of the military assault on separatist rebels and the Abu Sayyaf hostage crisis in Jolo, Sulu.

"Back then, administration critics also warned of possible martial rule. But that never took place. It’s the same case here," Toledo said.

The Integrated Bar of the Philippines even went to the Supreme Court to question the President’s authority to deploy the military in Metro Manila.

Meanwhile, Sen. Rodolfo Biazon, who opposed the President’s action last May, welcomed the re-deployment of the Marines.

Biazon, chairman of the Senate committee on national defense and security and a retired Marine general, said the latest bombing posed a serious national security threat that justified such action. – With Perseus Echeminada