Scores of police officers in full combat gear patrol along Roxas Avenue in Davao City on the first day of Martial Law in Mindanao on Wednesday, May 24. President Rodrigo Duterte, through Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella announced the declaration on Tuesday evening after a series of clashes erupted between government troops and members of the Maute in Marawi City. (Paulo C. Rizal/davaotoday.com)
DAVAO CITY, Philippines –Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio requested for additional troops here in the city, an official said on Monday, May 29.
Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC) Chief, Retired General Benito De Leon said in a press conference that Mayor Sara convened the Peace and Order Council last Friday and among the resolutions was the request for additional forces on the ground.
“The request was already formalized and the City Peace and Order Council have approved that last Friday,” De Leon said. De Leon said the increased personnel is needed for the implementation of Martial Law, noting “that the armed forces need certain augmentation on the ground as far as soldiers are concerned.”
According to De Leon, the request will now be forwarded to the Chief of Staff through the Eastern Mindanao Command and will also be submitted to appropriate authorities such as the Regional Peace and Order Council and other offices such as the Secretary of National Defense.
Meanwhile, Eastern Mindanao Command Chief, Lt. Gen. Rey Leonardo Guerrero said they are utilizing all the available units here in the city.
“In fact we are trying to realign forces to be able to adequately cover the security requirements in Davao City,” Guerrero said.
Guerrero said the 16th Infantry Battalion is just one of several Army battalions that they are expecting. However, because of the development in Western Mindanao, he said it will take time before an additional battalion could be deployed.
“Apart from the infantry battalions, we have also added forces from the other major services as well. We also have augmentations from Philippine Navy and the Philippine Air Force,” Guerrero said.
Guerrero said they also have a pending request for at least a platoon of members of the special operations to beef up security in the airport. (davaotoday.com)
