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The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) will be placed under full alert status beginning Saturday as authorities prepare for expected protests in Metro Manila on Sept. 21, which marks the 54th anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law. Karen de Guzman, ABS-CBN News
MANILA — The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) will be placed under full alert status beginning Saturday as authorities prepare for expected protests in Metro Manila on Sept. 21, which marks the 54th anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law.
Around 15,746 police personnel will be deployed across the capital region, Philippine National Police Public Information Office chief Col. Allen Rae Co said Thursday.
Co said the full alert status will take effect at midnight as Sept. 19 begins, with the full deployment of personnel expected by 5 p.m. Saturday.
“We have adjusted and we have tweaked ‘yung ating deployment to deal with expected, kung saan ang volume ng expected [rallies],” Co said.
He said police assigned to crowd control will not carry firearms during the operations.
Instead, Civil Disturbance Management (CDM) personnel will be equipped with protective gear, including helmets, shields and batons.
Police will also use body-worn cameras during the security operations.
Co said PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. had instructed all personnel to exercise maximum tolerance, following guidance from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla.
As of 9 a.m. Thursday, Co said the NCRPO had yet to receive applications for rally permits.
He said peaceful assemblies may be held in designated freedom parks, subject to existing limitations.
Organizers planning activities in other areas are required to secure the appropriate permit.
NO SPECIFIC THREATS MONITORED
Co said the PNP has not monitored any specific security threat related to the planned protests so far.
“Ang ginagawa natin we have contingency plans in place. We do not see any specific threats as of now but we are continuously monitoring ‘yung situation. Kung meron tayong matanggap na impormasyon ay ito agad natin ive-verify, iva-validate and act if we need to,” Co said.
Co said the deployment plan has been calibrated based on the expected volume of protesters and activities in different areas, but declined to disclose specific locations or routes for security reasons.
The PNP will also conduct cyber patrols while respecting freedom of communication, he said.
Authorities are encouraging the public to report information about possible plans for violent actions.
PNP: DON’T TEST POLICE RESOLVE
Co appealed to protesters to exercise their constitutionally protected right to peaceful assembly without violating the rights and safety of others.
He also addressed the possible use of balaclavas during protests, saying police would initially issue warnings and exercise maximum tolerance.
“Let us not test, huwag na natin anuhin pa ‘yung resolve ng ating kapulisan ng authorities. Kasama natin ang local government units and other law enforcement agencies, do not test the resolve,” Co said.
“Hindi naman aarestuhin kaagad but they will be warned not to do that lalo na sa immediate vicinity kung saan nangyayari, kung meron man mangyari na protest movements,” he added.
Co also warned protesters against bringing effigies, tires and other materials that could pose a danger to public safety, particularly within the immediate vicinity of protest areas.
He said such materials are prohibited under existing laws and would not fall under the definition of a peaceful assembly if their use poses a danger to the public.
The PNP’s preparations come amid calls from various groups for protests on Sept. 21.
Last year’s demonstrations turned violent, prompting authorities to intensify security preparations for this year’s activities.
PNP DEFENDS 15,000-STRONG DEPLOYMENT
Asked about criticism that the deployment was “overkill,” Co said the police presence was intended primarily to protect the public and ensure that protests remain peaceful.
He said the PNP would rather deploy sufficient personnel to prevent the public from being endangered or inconvenienced.
“Ang nalulungkot lang sa maraming deployed na pulis ay ‘yung may iniisip na hindi magandang gawin. We are there to ensure the safety of the community, ‘yung general public,” Co said.
Hindi bale na medyo sumobra na sinasabi nila pero ma-ensure naman natin the general public will not be endangered and will not be inconvenienced,” he added.
The more than 15,700 personnel count applies to Metro Manila.
Co said other urban centers nationwide are also preparing appropriate security deployments should there be protest activities in their areas.
As of Thursday, the NCRPO was also conducting a final coordinating conference to determine which groups had formally signaled their intention to hold rallies on Sept. 21.
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