MANILA: The military will deploy more than 800 soldiers to support the Philippine National Police in securing the Barangay polls in Metro Manila next week. Armed Forces public affairs chief Lt Col Ramon Zagala said 861 soldiers would help in poll-related duties such as manning checkpoints, conducting visibility patrols, establishing assistance desks and securing vital installations and voting centres. The deployment took effect last Monday and will be in force until October 30. Zagala said each major service has committed 67 soldiers to be placed under the command of the Joint Task Force National Capital Region. These military personnel would augment the 165 soldiers under the task force. The soldiers will undergo pre-deployment lectures on legal procedures in the conduct of election-related duties.
Cops sacked for under-reporting
MANILA: The Philippine National Police’s (PNP) one strike-policy on altering police blotters hit six more police chiefs in Central Luzon for allegedly trying to conceal the actual peace and order situation in their jurisdiction. PNP chief Director General Alan Purisima said two of the officers have been relieved while four others are facing pre-charge investigation for alleged inaccurate declaration of crime data. Purisima said the police chiefs under-reported crime incidents by as much as 75 percent. He issued a one-strike policy and ordered all police unit commanders to strictly observe complete and accurate reporting of all crimes. Relieved were Superintendent Ponciano Zafra of Gerona, Tarlac, and Chief Inspector Orlando Reyes of Olongapo City Station 2.
Quake towns fully accessible
Manila: The Department of Interior and Local Government yesterday said all municipalities in earthquake-ravaged province of Bohol are now fully accessible. Secretary Manuel Roxas II said personnel from the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Provincial Engineering Office of Bohol have been working round-the-clock to ensure all roads remain inter-connected and no municipality is isolated from major highways, the Philippines News Agency said today.
Agencies
