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Monday, February 27, 2006
Retired police, soldiers warned in Cebu
THE Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 is warning units to be wary of retired police or military personnel who may recruit active personnel to join efforts to oust President Arroyo.
In a memorandum sent to all lower units last Saturday, PRO 7 ordered that such retired employees should be accosted immediately and led outside the police camps.
However, the police were instructed to confirm first if the retirees are engaged in recruitment activities.
PRO 7 also ordered all city and provincial police directors and camp commanders to direct their personnel to “strictly adhere to the chain of command.”
The memorandum was issued a day after President Arroyo declared a state of national emergency after a coup attempt was foiled.
The crisis surrounding the Arroyo administration deepened yesterday as opposition figures rallied to a call for support from a Marine colonel linked to a coup plot against her.
However, the officials and the field commanders of the Central Command (Centcom) based said they support the chain of command.
“We are preoccupied with our (search and retrieval) mission in Southern Leyte,” said Centcom spokesman Lt. Col Jefferson Omandam in a mobile phone interview last night.
Omandam also said they have not monitored any troop movement in the Visayas.
A separate memo was issued informing the police about Presidential Proclamation 1017 putting the country under a state of emergency.
“This pertains to the activities of elements of political opposition, the extreme left and the extreme right who are now in tactical alliance and engaged in a concerted and systematic conspiracy to bring down the duly constituted government. These activities institute a clear and present danger to the safety and integrity of the Philippine State and the Filipino people,” the memorandum read.
Higher headquarters also informed the lower units that all permits to carry firearms outside the residence are suspended while all applications for permits are held in abeyance.
This is to maintain peace and order, prevent and suppress all forms of lawless violence and promote the general welfare.
Only personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, National Bureau of Investigation and the Philippine Coast Guard are authorized to carry firearms while on duty.
Police were also directed to conduct checkpoints in “strategic locations” to verify and inspect all persons who may be bringing firearms.
The memorandum did not have instructions on how to handle street demonstrations.
Among the provisions of Proclamation 1017 is the revocation of all permits for rallies.
Although he supports the declaration of a state of emergency, Cebu City north district Rep. Raul del Mar warns that the government must come up with specific guidelines so that those implementing the proclamation will know their bounds.
He also asked that the declaration be lifted immediately when the so-called “clear and present threat” to the government no longer exists and that the people must be shown “factual basis” to justify it. (MEA/AIV/RHM)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (February 27, 2006 issue)
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