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Soldiers to help cops maintain peace, order

12/04/2008

The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) is closely coordinating with the military to augment soldiers in the metropolis as the public will flock to malls during the Christmas shopping rush.

NCRPO chief Director Leopoldo Bataoil yesterday said the NCRPO police operatives and the five police districts in the metropolis will implement tighter security measures to maintain peace and order in the country’s capital.

Meanwhile, Capt. Carlo Ferrer of the military’s National Capital Region Command said the Air Force’s 750th Combat Group will augment the operations of the NCRPO.

At the same time, soldiers will also be assigned to public transport systems such as the Light Rail Transit and the Metro Rail Transit.

“This is to show the people that the police and the military are ready and capable to secure them and respond to any emergency situation, especially during the Christmas season,” Ferrer said.

Bataoil, however, clarified there is no specific terror threat in Metro Manila as far as intelligence gatherings are concerned and the deployment of soldiers is to augment the police force to prevent criminality in the metropolis during the holidays.

The police and the military, meanwhile, claimed the arrest of the two suspected bomb experts and alleged members of the extremist Abu Sayyaf bandits from whomimprovised explosive device were seized during the police and military raids on their alleged lair in Maharlika village, Taguig last Nov. 21 has no connection with the implementation of tighter security measures.

The military said the two Abu Sayyaf bandits were involved in extortion activities on private business and not in any terrorist activities, contrary to what the authorities had announced earlier.

Intelligence information indicated the groups extorting from businessmen were connected with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s Special Operations Group and the Al Khobar extortion group, Ferrer said. Gina Peralta-Elorde