400 soldiers to back PNP in securing SONA

MANILA, Philippines - About 400 soldiers in Metro Manila are ready to support the Philippine National Police (PNP) in securing the venue of President Aquino’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 23.

Maj. Warden Zamora Jr., spokesman for the newly established Standing Joint Task Force National Capital Region (NCR), said four civil disturbance management companies are ready to respond to any security situation.

Each company is composed of about 100 soldiers. The civil disturbance management companies will come from the Army, Air Force, Navy and the Armed Forces General Headquarters.

“We are ready and we are waiting for the request of PNP. Our troops are on standby for any eventuality,” Zamora told a briefing yesterday.

The military forces are ready for deployment to the Batasan complex, where Aquino will deliver his address before a joint session of Congress at the House of Representatives on July 23.

Zamora said they are working closely with the PNP to thresh out the security preparations for the event.

He said the security forces are now intensifying intelligence gathering to preempt any untoward incident.

The military has not detected any threat ahead of the SONA but remains on alert for criminal groups who might disrupt the event.

“We have not monitored any threat. The situation is normal,” Zamora said.

Security forces are expecting militant groups to stage rallies, which are usually done every time a president delivers the SONA.

Zamora said they are also on the lookout for criminals who might infiltrate the mass demonstrations to sow disorder.

Members of the Presidential Security Group inspected the House of Representatives last Monday to ensure the safety of those who will witness the event.

The Standing Joint Task Force NCR supervises the soldiers that may be tasked to support the law enforcers assigned at the Batasan complex.

The task force, which replaced the Armed Forces National Capital Region Command, was launched yesterday to secure the government’s seat of power.

Col. Manuel Ramiro serves as acting commander of the task force based in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City. 

Zamora said there are plans to transform the task force into a national maneuver force, which will deploy soldiers to areas that need additional troops.

The plan is to incorporate troops from elite military units like the Joint Special Operations Group and the Light Reaction Battalion in the task force in 2014.