It has been confirmed – a section of the Balearic Tactical Sub-group of the Philippines Battalion of the 47th Palma Regiment will patrol between 10 and 14 August in the municipalities of Estellencs, Banyalbufar, Deya, Valldemossa, Escorca and Fornalutx, in the Serra de Tramuntana on Mallorca, carrying out surveillance and deterrence duties.

Their mission will be to carry out foot and motorised patrols, the Balearic Islands Command has stated in a press release. The deployment will be carried out by the Land Operations Command (MOT), under the command of Lieutenant General Julio Salom Herrera, head of the Canary Islands Command (MCANA), which is the body within the Armed Forces responsible for the planning, conduct and monitoring of all such operations.

Presence, Surveillance and Deterrence (OPVD) operations such as this one “are an effective tool for maintaining surveillance of areas under national sovereignty, enabling the early detection of threats and facilitating an immediate and viable response to a potential crisis”, the statement notes.

The Operations Command, which reports to the Defence General Staff, is responsible for planning and directing permanent operations designed to establish a presence, maintain surveillance and create deterrence across land, sea, air, space and cyberspace.

To fulfil these objectives, it oversees the Land Operations Command (MOT), Maritime Operations Command (MOM), Air Operations Command (MOA), Space Operations Command (MOESPA) and Cyberspace Operations Command (MOC).

The Ministry of Defence and the General Command in the Balearic Islands have confirmed to the Balearic Government that the Army will be deployed at various locations across the region to ensure compliance with the safety measures planned for the day of the total solar eclipse on 12 August.

This was announced by the regional government’s spokesperson, Antoni Costa, at a press conference following the meeting of the Regional Government Council held this Friday. “There has been official confirmation from the Ministry of Defence and the General Command that the Army will be deployed and will provide assistance to ensure compliance with the extraordinary measures,” said Costa. He did not, however, specify what duties the deployed military personnel would carry out or in which areas they would be operating.

It has also been confirmed that Palma City Council will close access to Playa de Palma to private vehicles, with a few exceptions, and will increase services on all bus routes operating in the area on the day of the eclipse.

The Mayor of Palma, Jaime Martínez, has emphasised that the arrangements put in place for the solar eclipse on 12 August are designed to ensure the city runs smoothly throughout the day. Consequently, access to Playa de Palma will be restricted to private vehicles, with a few exceptions, but the area will be accessible on foot, by bicycle or by public transport, which is why bus services will be increased.

The council will close the beachfront to private vehicles at 09.00 and exits 6, 7A and 8 at midday. Furthermore, checks will be carried out at exits 10 and 11, and coordination will take place with Llucmajor Council to control other access points.

Meanwhile, the council has launched a dedicated helpline on 696279804 so that members of the public can have their queries about the phenomenon answered. The helpline is open from 09.00 to 13.00 and from 16.00 to 20.00, although on the day of the eclipse it will operate continuously from 09.00 to 21.00.

Martínez has emphasised the importance of civic-mindedness and responsibility, and has reminded the public that the eclipse “is not an alternative or supplementary festival”. In this regard, and given the possibility of celebrations taking place in Playa de Palma, the police operation “will take action for as long as necessary”.