By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan | Philippine News Agency
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has placed its forces on the highest alert status to secure the three-day simultaneous prayer rallies in Metro Manila beginning Nov. 16.
PNP acting chief PLt.Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the alert status took effect at 5:00 p.m. on Friday to ensure full implementation of the security plan.
“With the expected influx of people, we activated a comprehensive security plan covering ground operations, traffic management, intelligence monitoring, emergency response, and maritime patrols. All teams are ready to move and respond as needed,” Nartatez said in a press release on Friday.
A total of 16,433 police officers and support units will be deployed to two major rally sites: Rizal Park in Manila, where Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) will hold its “Rally for Transparency and a Better Democracy,” and the EDSA People Power Monument in Quezon City, where the United People’s Initiative (UPI) will stage its gathering from Nov. 16 to 18.
Police personnel have been strategically positioned across Metro Manila, beginning Saturday.
Nartatez assured that police units are fully prepared for any scenario and are working closely with other government agencies.
Meanwhile, the Police Regional Office (PRO) 3 (Central Luzon) will augment NCR security with more than 2,200 police personnel for the INC activity.
The regional office has readied 1,138 crowd dispersal management personnel and support units, and 1,139 standby forces from female police officers, CDM units, and the Regional Special Support Force (RSSF).
PRO-3 chief PBGen. Ponce Rogelio Peñones Jr. said they are fully equipped to reinforce the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) and expect a peaceful conduct of the event.
“Our personnel are fully prepared to support NCRPO. The INC community is peace-loving and disciplined, and we are confident the activity will run smoothly,” Peñones said.
In a related development, Nartatez on Saturday denied online claims that large crowds have already gathered in Mendiola ahead of the scheduled three-day rallies.
He said monitoring teams on the ground have confirmed that the circulating posts are false, misleading, and crafted to cause unnecessary alarm.
He urged the public to rely only on verified information from official government sources and credible news outlets.
“We urge the public not to believe unverified information circulating on social media. Always check the source and rely only on official government advisories and credible news outlets,” he said.
Nartatez noted that the PNP issues updates based on validated assessments, assuring the public that police units are fully prepared to maintain order during the upcoming activities.
