By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan | Philippine News Agency
The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday said 15,097 police officers will be deployed to secure the “Trillion Peso March” anti-corruption rallies on Nov. 30.
In a press briefing held at Camp Crame, PNP Information Chief and Spokesperson PBrig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño said the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) will deploy 8,805 personnel, while 6,292 personnel will also be deployed by the Special Action Force as well as the Police Regional Offices (PROs) of Ilocos Region, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, and Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).
These include 973 police officers at the People Power Monument and 893 police officers at the nearby Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (EDSA) Shrine. Police will also be deployed to the following areas around Malacañang: Mendiola, Ayala Bridge, J.P. Laurel Street corner Nagtahan, Legarda Street corner Figueras Street, San Sebastian Street corner Recto Avenue, Arlegui Street corner P. Casal Street, San Rafael Street, Padilla Street, and 5th Street.
Police officers will also be deployed at the House of Representatives in Quezon City, the Senate in Pasay City, and the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) office in Taguig City.
“Kung mapapansin niyo yung deployment natin ay napakarami, aabot ng 15,000 plus. Ito yung traditionally ay pinupuntahan ng mga tao kapag may rally. Alam naman natin na meron mga freedom parks… Ito yung mga hindi na nangangailangan ng permit na kinakailangan automatic sa deployment namin,” Tuaño said.
Tuaño said rally organizers have secured a permit for White Plains Avenue near the People Power Monument in Quezon City on Sunday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. as well as a memorandum of understanding between the local government and the United People’s Initiative, a group of retired military and police officials, ensuring the rally will not feature any “seditious” statements.
In light of the violent incidents that occurred at Mendiola and Ayala Bridge during the first Trillion Peso March last Sept. 21, Tuaño said specialized units will be on standby, including negotiation and monitoring teams, medical teams, arresting officers, as well as legal and investigation teams.
“This time, mas marami ‘yong mga arresting officers natin para makapag-concentrate sila sa trabaho nila as CDM,” Tuaño said.
Maximum security as top priority
At present, police forces in Metro Manila are on heightened alert but NCRPO Spokesperson PMaj. Hazel Asilo said the security alert status will be upgraded to full alert on Nov. 28, or two days before the anti-corruption protest.
She said a full alert status means that all policemen must report for duty as part of the contingency measures.
For his part, NCRPO Chief PMaj. Gen. Anthony Aberin said the composition of the deployed force will be adjusted based on crowd dynamics and real-time assessments on the day of the event, adding that they also ensured that their capacity for rapid reinforcement and flexible response to evolving situations is further improved.
“Police presence is not meant to suppress the rally but to protect the safety of participants, commuters, and bystanders,” Aberin said.
The PNP has also activated joint security planning with Quezon City’s Department of Public Order and Safety, Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and other relevant agencies.
Real-time CCTV monitoring will be conducted, while social media tracking has been intensified due to increased online mobilization. “Our vigilance extends to all platforms. What we see online guides how we protect our communities on the ground,” he stated.
The PNP reiterated that acts of rebellion, insurrection, sedition, or incitement that may lead to public disorder or undermine lawful assembly remain prohibited under Batas Pambansa 880 and the Revised Penal Code. (PNA)
