Protesters join the “Baha sa Luneta” demonstration against government corruption at Rizal Park, Luneta in Manila, September 21, 2025. The protest, which coincides with the 53rd anniversary of Martial Law, calls for accountability over the alleged multi-billion-peso corruption in anomalous flood-control and infrastructure projects. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File
MANILA — The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said Thursday it would deploy some 15,000 officers to secure the rallies expected to take place in Metro Manila on Sept. 21.
NCRPO chief PBGen. Christopher Abrahano said police were coordinating with protest organizers and leaders, although no formal permits or notices have so far been received.
“We will be deploying more than 15,000 na mga kapulisan natin to ensure na yung mga rallies na mangyayari ay peaceful,” Abrahano said.
“Although we respect yung kanilang karapatan to express themselves but yung inyong kapulisan will be watching also at nakaantanbay kami para ma-prevent yung gulo nung nakaraang taon,” he said.
The expected rallies come a year after thousands marched against bogus flood control projects believed to have cost taxpayers billions of dollars.
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The largely peaceful Sept. 21, 2025 protests erupted into violence as riot police deployed water cannon in clashes with scores of mostly young masked people who hurled rocks and shattered the glass of one police outpost.
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This year’s Sept. 21 rallies will also mark the anniversary of the martial law declaration under President Ferdinand Marcos Sr.
The NCRPO also said personnel would be placed on heightened readiness and leaves would be limited to ensure sufficient manpower during the rallies.
“Wala munang leave, kailangan tulong-tulong muna at we need pool of policemen para magbantay sa mga kalsada natin,” Abrahano said.
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Police units from neighboring regions are also expected to augment the NCRPO’s security force.
Abrahano said there was no specific intelligence yet pointing to possible groups that could attempt to disrupt the rallies.
“Pero patuloy yung coordination din natin sa intelligence community para mamonitor natin,” he added.
The NCRPO said it was monitoring groups that were apprehended in connection with last year’s protest violence.
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Meanwhile, Abrahano said the NCRPO was aware of reports circulating on social media about a religious group’s supposed activity on September 20.
“Nakarating na sa aming kaalaman ‘yan, pero we are still validating and monitoring kung totoo itong balita na ito,” he said.