BY VICTOR REYES

THE Armed Forces yesterday said more and more barangays in Metro Manila are asking the military to deploy soldiers to their areas, citing the benefits of the presence of security forces.

Capt. Eugenio Julio Osias, group commander of the AFP Civil Relations Service-National Capital Region, said the barangay officials, mostly from depressed areas, made the requests as they reiterated their support for the deployment.

"Contrary to some reports, several barangay leaders have sent letters expressing their gratitude (for) deploying soldiers in their barangays," said Osias.

But Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro, AFP public information chief, said it might be difficult to retain the soldiers in the depressed areas or add more.

Bacarro said the most that the military could likely do is replace the soldiers with a new batch once they finish their training under the Community Organizing and Development (CODE) Program.

The 260 soldiers currently deployed in the urban poor communities form the second batch undergoing the training since its inception in November last year.

"Our presence there (in the barangays) has a fixed period, until they finish their training cycle. Maybe later on, when the next cycle comes, then we can again (deploy). If there are still programs that need the cooperation of the AFP, then we can deploy," said Bacarro.

"But to permanently put some soldiers and add more soldiers there, maybe that may not be appropriate because we are just doing this because of the training that we need and, of course, provide service to the communities," he said.

The partylist Gabriela has filed electioneering charges against AFP leaders because the soldiers were allegedly harassing its members and supporters and asking residents not to vote for militant groups in the May 14 elections.

The soldiers are deployed in at least 27 slum communities. The CODE training also requires the soldiers to conduct medical and dental missions, pursue "limited engineering works" and be involved in cleanliness drives.

Last month, the military also launched the training’s sister program, Bridging Leadership Approach (BLA). The BLA calls for the conduct of dialogue with the residents of Muslim communities in the metropolis.

"They also requested the retention of troops or if possible additional soldiers to be deployed, especially in areas that are frequented by criminal elements," Osias said.

One of the barangay officials requesting additional soldiers, Teresita Lumactud, chairman of Barangay 649, Zone 68, District V in Manila, said more soldiers are needed because of anticipated election-related crimes.

"The May 14, 2007 mid-term election is fast approaching and like in the past elections, Baseco was identified as hotspot or areas of concern due to influx of Muslims and election-related crimes," said Lumactud in a letter to Army chief Lt. Gen. Romeo Tolentino.

"In this regard, I respectfully request the retention of Philippine Army officers and, if possible, we want an additional group of Philippine Army to be deployed here in our area," added Lumactud in the one-page letter dated March 8.

A letter by chairman Bayani Geronimo of Barangay 870, Zone 95, District V, also in Manila said the military personnel in their barangay have done well in mounting the Community Service and Awareness Program.

"This (deployment) further certifies that the performance is excellent and created a feeling of being at ease, between the officials… and our constituents," Geronimo also said.

Osias said the deployment of the soldiers was meant to solve the "complex problems" in the communities.

Last week, Armed Forces chief Gen. Hermogenes Esperon Jr. said the deployment is part of the government’s fight against the insurgents.