Army maps out contingency plans for worst-case scenarios
For the nth time, the Philippine Army declared that it won’t participate in any partisan politics.
This, Philippine Army chief Lt. Gen. Reynaldo Mapagu stressed amid insinuations of military take over once the May 10, 2010 automated election fails.
Mapagu, who visited the 3rd Infantry Division based in Camp Peralta, Jamindan, Capiz Wednesday, claimed that what they are working now is how to do their part in making this election credible.
But when pressed on the possibility for failure of elections, Mapagu said, “We have contingency plans for all scenarios that we have envisioned, including the worst-case scenarios. But I hope we will not come to that because what we intend to do is to have a peaceful election, magandang eleksyon at magandang resulta at walang kaduda-duda.”
For the Army chief, the May 10 polls is “going to be a credible election and the integrity of the results would be beyond doubt. So, we would go for that.”
Talks about people power once the elections fail are too premature, he added.
“Hindi tayo dapat nagre-resort sa ganyan because that is a destabilizing factor. We need to create an environment of peace and security sa tao natin, not fear and anxiety, which is not healthy for the country, especially a country which will face a crucial election in a few days,” Mapagu said.
As it is, the Philippine Army soldiers will follow what the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) order on them.
“We will provide necessary security that the COMELEC would want us to do. But of course, we have to follow some regulations on this,” he said.
Mapagu pointed out, though, that to dispel any doubts, soldiers will carry out only legal orders from the COMELEC.
He said that soldiers will not go anywhere near the ballots during the May elections.
“We cannot go near the 50-meter radius from the polling centers,” he added.
Mapagu also assessed that the 3rd ID is doing very well with its preparations for the elections.
“All systems go as far as 3ID is concerned in helping the COMELEC do its role in the upcoming elections, in partnership with the Philippine National Police,” he said in conclusion.
