NCRCom on red alert for Aquino inauguration

MANILA, Philippines - The National Capital Region Command (NCRCOM) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) was placed on red alert yesterday as part of the preparations for the inauguration of president-elect Benigno Aquino III today.

In a press conference, AFP spokesman Lt. Col. Arnulfo Burgos, Jr. said the red alert status took effect at 8 a.m. “This is part of the security preparations for the turnover ceremony,” he told reporters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

A red alert status places all troops on standby. Burgos clarified that they have not received any threat that may disrupt the inauguration rites. He said the alert status was raised to ensure the availability of troops that can assist police elements who will secure the event.

“The NCRCOM has alerted more than two battalions of soldiers. We also have security preparations in the Quirino Grandstand. We have a battalion of honor guards so more or less three battalions are involved (in the event),” the AFP spokesman said.

“There are no threats. These preparations are made to ensure that the event will be peaceful,” he added.

Burgos said the alert status may be downgraded after the turnover rites.

Personnel from the AFP Explosives and Ordnance Division (EOD) and bomb-sniffing dogs will also provide support to the Philippine National Police and the Presidential Security Group. Burgos said six K9 and EOD teams were deployed yesterday to the venues of the event and their surrounding areas.

The military will render a 21 gun-salute for Aquino immediately after he finishes taking his oath of office.

Acting AFP chief Lt. Gen. Nestor Ochoa and the honor guard battalion will also provide military honors to outgoing President Arroyo upon her arrival at the Quirino Grandstand.  

“We are to stand united with the national government to maintain peace, security and order in the country. More importantly to discourage belligerent elements in casting havoc upon the newly installed government,” Ochoa said in a statement.

“I implore you (troops) to extend the same courtesy and support to the incoming chief of staff and, of course, commander-in-chief,” he added.

NCRPO’s OB van to beef up security

The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) will use its “new” outside broadcast (OB) van, linked to closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, to check its security preparations during Aquino’s inauguration at the grandstand this morning and the street party at the Quezon City Memorial Circle tonight, an official said yesterday.

An OB van is a mobile television studio where video and audio footage are processed and broadcast live.

“The inaugural of incoming president Aquino would serve as a test run for our OB van,” said NCRPO chief Director Roberto Rosales as he expressed hope that the coverage would be a success.

He said the OB van used to be a non-functioning vehicle when he had it rehabilitated for more than P1 million, the bill shouldered by “friends of the NCRPO.”

After Aquino’s inaugural, Rosales intends to use the OB van during anti-crime operations inside buildings or to guide police officers during raids by attaching a camera at the tip of their helmets.

“The OB van will serve as our communication center where all data from CCTV cameras and radio link-ups would be recorded for future reference,” Rosales said.

The NCRPO chief said nine foreign heads of state, secretaries and ministers are already in the country as of 3 p.m. yesterday. The remaining 10 others are expected to plane in before the day ends.

He said 6,500 uniformed policemen from the NCRPO have already been deployed in their respective assignments yesterday morning, especially along the stretch of Roxas Boulevard up to the Quirino Grandstand, to secure the “courtesy lanes” established for the use of foreign dignitaries.

The NCRPO chief said at least 600 police officers from the Police Regional Offices 3 and 4-A arrived late yesterday at Camp Crame in Quezon City.

“There are no more hitches in our security deployment. We are in every nook and corner of the inaugural site,” said Rosales, adding that they received no intelligence report with regards to any threats during the event.

Rosales also announced that all is well with regards to the NCRPO’s security deployment at the Quezon City Memorial Circle where tens of thousands of Aquino’s supporters are expected to gather for a night-long celebration.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will also deploy 290 traffic enforcers to control and direct the flow of vehicular traffic in the vicinity of the Quirino Grandstand and at the Quezon City Memorial Circle.

Outgoing MMDA chairman Oscar Inocentes said the traffic enforcers would be deployed starting at 5 a.m. today to control the flow of traffic along the route from Aquino’s Times street residence in Quezon City to the Malacañang Palace.  – With Non Alquitran, Mike Frialde