This file photo, taken May 1, 2018, shows protesters walking towards Welcome Rotonda in Quezon City to merge with various groups that will march to Mendiola in celebration of the Labor Day. (Photo by JAM STA ROSA / Philippine Daily Inquirer)
MANILA, Philippines — The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) assured rallyists on Tuesday that its officers would intensify security during the celebration of Labor Day on Wednesday.
“We are not the enemies of the rallyists. I assure that the NCRPO is always ready to secure the public from any eventuality as well as guarantee that your police force will deal with those who will conduct rallies with maximum tolerance and utmost respect for human rights,” Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, NCRPO chief, said in a statement on Tuesday.
With the expected protests of labor groups, NCRPO said it would deploy a total of 8,423 policemen.
NCRPO added that the deployment of police officers would also counter possible attacks by threat groups during the protest of labor groups.
“The said event will be marred with rallies and demonstrations from different sectoral groups,” NCRPO said in a statement. “Likewise, other threat groups might take advantage of the occasion and launch terror attacks or other nefarious activities.”
Security plans will also be implemented during the protests — such as “strategic personnel deployment, civil disturbance management, anti-criminality intervention, counter-terrorism, traffic management, Emergency Response Team and monitoring of lightning rallies.”
Meanwhile, Eleazar reminded the public of the “no permit, no rally” policy except in freedom parks.
“Protesters must follow existing laws and ordinances to ensure the successful conduct of this event,” Eleazar said.
/atm