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EMERGENCY CLOSURE. Members of the Manila Police District and the Philippine Armed Forces join barangay officials as they enforce a strict 24-hour closure of Barangay 20 at the Parola Compound in Tondo, Manila, on April 14, 2020. Photo by Ben Nabong / Rappler archive
MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Armed Forces (AFP) said it is natural for the military to prepare for a possible “martial law-like confinement” after President Rodrigo Duterte threatened to enforce it.
On Sunday, April 19, AFP spokesman Brigadier General Edgard Arévalo confirmed the issuance of an internal memorandum from the Philippine Air Force (PAF) advising troops “to prepare for the strict implementation of a comprehensive community quarantine improved where the AFP will be the general manager along the highways and highways. “
But he clarified that Duterte has not yet issued a final deployment order.
“Sa ngayon wala pa na nag u ng u sang Pangulo na mag-deploy na (At this time, there is no order from the President to deploy.) But he is a regular and regular member of the leadership of the Philippine Air Force and AFP under General Felimon Santos Jr, for that matter, to exercise its initiative to alert and prepare our personnel, including ROE (rules of engagement), “Arévalo said in a statement.
“We believe there is nothing to be alarmed about in this natural AFP reaction to prepare and deploy when necessary,” he added.
Arevalo said the army is making the necessary preparations for now, after the commander-in-chief threatened to impose military and police control in the event that the Filipinos continued to violate the closure rules in Luzon and other parts of the country.
In a separate statement, PAF spokesman Mayor Aristides Galang said the internal memo was issued so that the PAF could “anticipate” any scenario following Duterte’s warning.
“It is an internal note for PAF staff post... The PAF is only anticipating any scenario in case the President as AFP Commander-in-Chief decides to implement his statements to the public lately as stated above and prepare our troops in advance, ”said Galang.
On Sunday, Arévalo said the public should be more concerned about residents’ continued violation of improved community quarantine rules.
“Instead, we should be alarmed by the fact that many people are breaking the law and disobeying the health rules and protocols that MUST be strictly enforced; otherwise, people die,” Arevalo said.
“Law-abiding citizens and those who follow the rules should not be concerned. There is no reason to be alarmed, “he added.
Arévalo said the military has long been assisting local government units in Quezon City, Pasay City, Parañaque City, Mandaluyong City and Pateros in applying the rules of the blockade imposed due to COVID-19 even before the president’s pronouncement.
“Almost all the barangays in the NCR (National Capital Region) were actually seeking the assistance of the military and the police, which shows the magnitude of the problem,” Arevalo said.
The army has been assisting police in monitoring checkpoints since the Luzon closure began on March 17. Both uniformed services have also been in charge of several major national quarantine facilities.
AFP has also been using its trucks, planes, and boats to transport medical equipment, supplies, and relief items.
The blockade in Luzon will end on April 30 after Duterte decided to extend it due to the increase in COVID-19 cases.
The total number of COVID-19 cases broke the 6,000th mark for the first time in the Philippines on Saturday, April 18. Of the total 6,087 cases so far, 397 died from COVID-19, while 516 recovered. – Rappler.com
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