The Philippine National Police will deploy the elite Special Action Force to each of the troubled provinces where President Duterte wants to have additional government forces.
PNP spokesperson Chief Supt. Benigno Durana said a SAF company composed of 100 elite policemen will augment existing forces and whatever the military would deploy in Samar, Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, and the six provinces of the Bicol region.
“That is initially our response, compliance to the Memorandum Order No. 32 which we fully supported as part of the security sector of the government,” said Durana.
But Durana said the number of additional policemen and soldiers will still depend on the result of the threat assessment that will be conducted by the police and military next week.
The meeting, according to Durana, will also help establish coordination on the response on all aspects of security threats in the provinces mentioned by Memorandum Order No. 32 recently signed by President Duterte.
MO 32 calls for the deployment of additional troops in Bicol, Negros Island, and Samar to quell what it described to be lawless violence and acts of terror.
However, critics questioned the timing and the motive behind the deployment, noting that Negros Island and the Bicol region are known to be bailiwicks of the opposition in the 2016 presidential elections and could retain such status for the midterm elections next year.
The PNP has been continuously assessing areas that would be included in the list of hotspots for the midterm elections. And based on the initial assessment, the four areas cited in the MO order could be included.
“Well, there are indications that they may be included in the final list because the final list will still be coordinated with the Commission on Elections which is the lead agency during elections together with the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” Durana said.
Durana said that MO 32 is not only about the elections but also about ensuring that the government would effectively address the security issues in the areas mentioned amid the possible threat from the communist rebels.
