Troops to assist cops in securing Labor Day celebration

MANILA, Philippines - The military will deploy about three hundred soldiers to assist the National Capital Region Police Office in securing the commemoration of Labor Day.

Armed Forces spokesman Col. Arnulfo Burgos Jr. said three civil disturbance management (CDM) companies each composed of about 100 soldiers would support the police’s law enforcement operations.

Through our Joint Task Force NCR (National Capital Region), we are augmenting the police forces by providing three CDM companies,” Burgos said in an interview.

“We have also prepared canine, EOD (explosive ordinance division)  and medical teams for possible deployment when needed,” he added.

Burgos said they have not monitored any threat that could disrupt the Labor Day commemorations. Security forces, however, are bracing for protests by militant organizations and cause-oriented groups.

“We will continue to monitor the situation and we will continue our networking with other agencies. We will also conduct intelligence operations,” Burgos said.

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin reminded the soldiers to exercise maximum tolerance.

“The protesters should also conduct their activities in an orderly way to avoid misunderstanding,” Gazmin said in Filipino.

Meanwhile, Army troops in Bicol will provide free ride to job seekers from far-flung areas.

Maj. Angelo Guzman, spokesman of the Army’s 9th division, said the free ride would benefit those who do not have resources to bring themselves to the job fair in Naga City.

The Jobs Fair and Livelihood Fair are to be held Wednesday and was organized by the Labor department and SM City Naga. At least 67 establishments will participate in the event.

Army trucks will pick up jobseekers in Albay, Camarines Sur and Camarines Norte and bring them to the venue for free.

The vehicles will be provided by the 2nd Infantry Battalion, 42nd Infantry Battalion, 49th Infantry Battalion, 901stBrigade, 902nd Brigade and the 9th Civil Military Operations Battalion.

“The Free Ride will assist poor yet qualified and deserving people within the division’s area of responsibility to find employment in the jobs fair,” said Maj. Gen. Romeo Calizo, chief of the Army’s 9th division.