CAMP MELCHOR DELA CRUZ, Gamu, Isabela — Military troops from the 5th Infantry Division here would only serve as a backup contingent “if the need arises” during President Rodrigo Duterte’s State of the Nation Address on July 23.
“We would back up the military and police personnel as we have contingencies, if ever,” Army Major General Perfecto Rimando, 5th Infantry Division commander, told the Philippine News Agency in an interview Saturday, shortly after the graduation rites of 243 new Army soldiers at the camp here.
Rimando said the President has the Presidential Security Group as the main core of his security forces while the police and military members in the National Capital Region would primary be backing up the PSG members, he added.
“We are ever ready to have our additional forces,” he added.
As to the new Army soldiers, Rimando said they would be beefing up battalions in the Cordillera and Cagayan Valley regions or even in Mindanao areas. (Bill Visaya/PNA)
