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NCRCom augments PNP men deployed in major malls, hotels

10/21/2007

National Capital Region Command (NCRCOM) under Maj. Gen. Fernando Mesa yesterday declared red alert in NCR in lieu of the bombing incident at Glorietta Mall in Makati City the other day.

The red-alert status was declared to enable NCRCOM to prepare its troops to assist the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) in securing vital installations and public places in Metro Manila.

Mesa, who welcomed at a reception ceremony 48th Infantry Battalion, 7th Infantry Division from Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija a day after the incident, said NCRCOM will augment troops in NCR.

He added they, together with the Philippine National Police, have deployed troops in the major malls and hotels in NCR to increase the visibility patrols to assure the people that the PNP and NCRCOM personnel are there for shoppers’ safety.

NCRCOM also deployed a platoon of soldiers in each of the five PNP districts in NCR to augment their forces in the conduct of checkpoints.

Mesa showed the media different samples of Improvised Explosive Devices. He enjoined the people to watch out for such devices and not to touch them but instead report the suspected items immediately to the nearest PNP or NCRCOM unit or call Patrol 117 or 2920.

He also assured the public NCRCOM, together with the NCRPO, is more than prepared to confront any threats to NCR and that they can go on with their routine activities and continue with their normal lives.