by Prix D Banzon

Davao City (25 July) -- The Philippine National Police in Davao City is on alert and is ready while President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is delivering her State of the Nation Adress (SONA) on July 28 2008.

Davao City Police Director Senior Superintendent Ramon Apolinar said there will be heightened alert and more police visibility in the city to make sure peace and order is maintained during the President's SONA.

He said they are ready, prepared and will impose stricter measures to counter the rallyists.

"But we also expect the group to police their own ranks," he said.

Apolinar also said that normally the rule is that they could not rally if they don't have permits, but sometimes the rallyists conduct lightning rally.

Looking back at the Banay-banay incident, he said rebel groups used the rally to attack the municipal hall.

He aid they are ready, prepared and even knows their leaders.

Earlier reports indicated the plan of the New People's Army (NPA) to revive its notorious assassination squads and conduct operations in the metropolis coinciding with the State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Arroyo on Monday.

Meanwhile the 10th Infantry Division continuously intensify its military operations even as its Commanding General Maj Gen Jogy Leo Fojas said that additional troops coming from Lzon and Visayas arrived in Davao last July 20 to augment its forces.

He said the troops is composed of units from 1st Mechanized Infantry Battalion and 3rd Field Artillery Battalion. A total of 24 Armored Vehicles and 12 Howitzer Tubes will be deployed in the areas of Compostela Valley Province and Davao del Sur.

He explained that the public need not be alarmed of the additional troops as it will only be used to preempt further atrocities that will be carried out by NPA criminals.