DAVAO CITY – Army 10th Infantry Division commander Major Gen. Allan Hambala denied that Presidential Assistant for Eastern Mindanao Leo Tereso Magno ordered his troops to withdraw from a rally at the Davao del Norte Sports Complex in Tagum City on Sunday, April 14.

HAMBALA (FB)
The alleged withdrawal came to light just hours before the Hakbang ng Maisug candlelight prayer rally attended by about 100,000 people in support of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
Hambala said that he repositioned his troops to the second and third layers of the security plan independently, refuting rumors that they did it at the request of the OPAMINE Secretary.
“The government troops are not supposed to be in the direct vicinity of the rally as the police are mandated to implement crowd control and at the same time secure the attendees. I decided to reposition our men upon inspection of the area earlier today (Sunday),” Hambala said.
Hambala lamented how fake news is being peddled by known personalities. He also said that he had a conversation with Davao del Norte Gov. Edwin Jubahib explaining why he decided to reposition troops.
The prayer rally was a platform against Charter change and sought to raise awareness of its potential impact on the country and its people.
Duterte has been expressing his views on the current situation of the government and the country. He highlighted the importance of public support and cooperation for any national endeavor.