nervous?

AFP deploys anti-coup force
By Jaime Laude
Saturday, February 23, 2008
An anti-coup Army unit is being sent to Metro Manila as the government
braces for street protests to press for President Arroyo's
resignation, the military said yesterday.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is deploying a battalion
composed of four companies of infantry and 32 tanks and armored
vehicles to beef up Metro Manila's security forces during the
commemoration of the 22nd anniversary of the EDSA people power
revolution on Monday.

A composite battalion from the Army's 2nd, 5th and 7th Infantry
Divisions arrived in Metro Manila yesterday to augment the 3,000-
strong force of the National Capital Region Command (NCRCOM).

"The forces will form part of the operational readiness and
contingency force of the AFP to prevent any attempts of power grab, if
ever," NCRCOM commander Maj. Gen. Fernando Mesa said.

In previous years, soldiers were pulled out of their anti-insurgency
duties and sent to Manila to participate in the celebration of the
civilian-backed military bloodless uprising that toppled the regime of
former President Ferdinand Marcos.

Mesa explained that the soldiers' presence in Metro Manila was aimed
at preserving peace and ensuring that the laws of the land are
enforced.

Earlier, Mesa warned that soldiers who break the chain of command
would be harshly dealt with.

The warning came following reports that the current political
developments caused by alleged widespread anomalies in the government
have already affected the troops' morale.

"I would also like to assure the public and the business sector that
this operational readiness of NCRCOM is aimed at preserving
democracy," Mesa said.

He allayed fears that disgruntled soldiers are planning to challenge
the government, saying that soldiers who will do so will be met with
the full force of the law.

Aside from the fresh troop reinforcement, elite troops were already
deployed in Metro Manila even before the Makati City rally last week.



.