AFP: 800 military reservists called for duty
Published Apr 21, 2020 12:00 am
By Martin Sadongdong
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) disclosed on Tuesday that it has utilized the services of about 800 military reservists to augment the forces deployed in Luzon for the stricter implementation of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
Philippine Armed Forces Spokesperson Brig.Gen. Edgard Arevalo
(AP Photo/Bullit Marquez / MANILA BULLETIN) Brigadier General Edgard Arevalo, AFP spokesperson, said about 500 reservists were deployed in Quezon City and Manila, the top two cities in the National Capital Region with the highest number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases. Meanwhile, the remaining 300 personnel were fielded in Pasay, Paranaque, Taguig, and Pateros. Arevalo said the deployment was their response to the request of the local government units (LGUs) for military support amid the reported violations in ECQ protocols, which forced President Duterte to issue a verbal order to the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police to prepare for a takeover in the enforcement of the Luzon-wide lockdown. "Initial augmentation pa lang ito and this is in response to the request of concerned local government units. Kung hindi magiging disiplinado at maayos ang pagsunod ng ating mga kababayan sa ECQ from the observation of the LGUs, we will add more troops (This is just an initial augmentation and in response to the request of concerned local government units. If our fellowmen will not be disciplined and disobey the ECQ from the observation of the LGUs, we will add more troops)," Arevalo said. Prior to this, the military's Joint Task Force National Capital Region (JTF-NCR) had deployed around 2,500 soldiers to assist the police in the enforcement of the ECQ. Brigadier General Alexander Luna, JTF-NCR commander, said the AFP is capable of deploying 2,000 more troops if violators will continue to break the law. "Our objective is to discipline the people and prevent them from going outside if it's not for essential use," Luna said. Further, Luna said the JTF-NCR is planning to conduct "loudspeaker operations" where military trucks equipped with loudspeakers shall patrol the streets to inform the public about the COVID-19 pandemic. He said keeping the public informed about the dangers of not cooperating with government measures will help them understand why extreme measures are being enforced to slow down the spread of the virus. President Duterte is expected to announce his decision on whether the Luzon-wide lockdown shall be lifted or extended ahead of its scheduled lapse on April 30.
Philippine Armed Forces Spokesperson Brig.Gen. Edgard Arevalo(AP Photo/Bullit Marquez / MANILA BULLETIN) Brigadier General Edgard Arevalo, AFP spokesperson, said about 500 reservists were deployed in Quezon City and Manila, the top two cities in the National Capital Region with the highest number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases. Meanwhile, the remaining 300 personnel were fielded in Pasay, Paranaque, Taguig, and Pateros. Arevalo said the deployment was their response to the request of the local government units (LGUs) for military support amid the reported violations in ECQ protocols, which forced President Duterte to issue a verbal order to the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police to prepare for a takeover in the enforcement of the Luzon-wide lockdown. "Initial augmentation pa lang ito and this is in response to the request of concerned local government units. Kung hindi magiging disiplinado at maayos ang pagsunod ng ating mga kababayan sa ECQ from the observation of the LGUs, we will add more troops (This is just an initial augmentation and in response to the request of concerned local government units. If our fellowmen will not be disciplined and disobey the ECQ from the observation of the LGUs, we will add more troops)," Arevalo said. Prior to this, the military's Joint Task Force National Capital Region (JTF-NCR) had deployed around 2,500 soldiers to assist the police in the enforcement of the ECQ. Brigadier General Alexander Luna, JTF-NCR commander, said the AFP is capable of deploying 2,000 more troops if violators will continue to break the law. "Our objective is to discipline the people and prevent them from going outside if it's not for essential use," Luna said. Further, Luna said the JTF-NCR is planning to conduct "loudspeaker operations" where military trucks equipped with loudspeakers shall patrol the streets to inform the public about the COVID-19 pandemic. He said keeping the public informed about the dangers of not cooperating with government measures will help them understand why extreme measures are being enforced to slow down the spread of the virus. President Duterte is expected to announce his decision on whether the Luzon-wide lockdown shall be lifted or extended ahead of its scheduled lapse on April 30.