Police to increase security for Corona testimony

INQUIRER file photo

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine National Police is considering the deployment of additional anti-riot troops around the Senate complex on Tuesday when Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona takes the stand for the first time in his impeachment trial.

Senior Superintendent Generoso Cerbo Jr., PNP spokesman, said the PNP was observing the trial of Corona very closely and was constantly on the lookout for any spontaneous outbursts of violence or disturbances from protesters or his own supporters.

“Of course, we have to monitor the situation closely because anything can happen… We will study the possibility of adding more forces to our normal deployment,” he said in an interview at Camp Crame.

Cerbo said an additional “one or two platoons” might be enough to respond to any emergency, although he added the PNP was still determining the number of personnel it should deploy. A platoon consists of 25-50 members.

Since Corona’s trial began, Cerbo said, officers from the Pasay police and a Civil Disturbance Management team have been securing the Senate building, although they have seen little action from the peaceful proceedings.

But Cerbo admitted that Corona’s presence at the impeachment court might trigger some response from both his supporters and detractors, and said the PNP must stay vigilant to prevent any untoward incidents.