AFP readies troops for SONA

MANILA, Philippines – The military has stepped up the training of its anti-riot and crowd control units in preparation for President Arroyo’s State of the Nation Address on July 28.

National Capital Region Command (NCRCOM) chief Maj. Gen. Arsenio Arugay said the military’s Civil Disturbance Management (CDM) unit has set in place a major security arrangement to ensure a smooth and orderly SONA.

“We don’t expect any major things to come up but it’s better to be prepared,” Arugay said.

Arugay said NCRCOM’s security preparations are in coordination with the Philippine National Police and with the House of Representatives’ Sergeant-at-Arms, Gen. Horacio Lactao.

Leftist organizations and other anti-administration groups are expected to march to the House of Representatives during the SONA.

“What we are anticipating are the rallies,” Arugay said, adding that they don’t expect a huge turnout of rallyists. He also shrugged off alleged destabilization threats from rebellious soldiers.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres said that military is aware of the alleged Magdalo destabilization plot but is still verifying the reports.

“We also heard that report and of course we are not setting that aside. We are working in collaboration with the PNP to validate such reports,” Torres said.

The NCRCOM, which has around 3,000 men, was organized mainly as an anti-coup force. It also has at its disposal several elite units from the Navy, Air Force and the Army.