Yagami Website

MANILA - The military on Tuesday allayed fears of the possible "militarization" of the Metro Manila Development Authority after the latter became a reserve unit of the Philippine Army.

Brig. Gen. Gaudencio Pangilinan, Armed Forces civil relations service chief, described as unfounded the fears of Anakpawis party list Rep. Joel Maglunsod that the MMDA could become armed and authorized thugs of the AFP.

“We understand the concern of the Honorable congressman from Anakpawis but he must also recognize that the AFP Affiliate Reserve Program is not at all about arming the reservists. It is about preparing our citizens to respond to calamities and other forms of emergencies in an organized fashion,” Pangilinan said.

Last September 3, the Philippine Army and the MMDA signed a memorandum of agreement that authorized the MMDA to ensure the continuous and uninterrupted operations of water, light, transportation and communication for the AFP, especially in times of war and emergency.

Pangilinan said the military is conducting a study whether party list organizations can be partners under the program. He said if this feasible, Pangilinan said Anakpawis can be included as an affiliate.

“There is now a study if we can include party list groups in this affiliate program. If that will happen, Anakpawis can be the first among the party list groups to be affiliated, maybe that will be a good way to build consensus among patriotic sectors of Philippine society,” he said.