MANILA, Feb. 6 -- The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday refuted claims that the Task Force Davao would be dismantled.

"The EMC (Eastern Mindanao Command) has made a statement. We made some clarification, and there is no such directive for the disbandment of Task Force Davao," AFP public affairs office chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad said during a press conference at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

He said AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr.'s visit to Davao City, where the EMC headquarters is located, is focused at ensuring the military's efforts to help calamity-hit communities.

AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla echoed Trinidad's remarks, saying Brawner's visit was aimed at determining how the military can help in th...