Metro cops will stay on full alert status until Sunday for Labor Day

MANILA, Philippines—Metro police will maintain a full alert status for Labor Day this Sunday, a police spokesman stated.

Reiterating the statement made by National Capital Region Police Office chief Director Nicanor Bartolome Tuesday, NCRPO spokesman Senior Superintendent Dionardo Carlos told Inquirer.net that the full alert status for Metro Manila will remain despite the memorandum handed down from the Office of the Directorate for Operations in the Philippine National Police.

The memorandum declared effectivity of heightened alert status for police in Regions 1, 2, 3, 4A, 4B, 5, 6, 7, 8, Cordillera and the NCRPO starting Tuesday 8 a.m. The memorandum stated that only police in regions 9 to 13, ARMM and the Special Action Force were to maintain a full alert status.

In a text message, Carlos stated that police regional directors may decide based on their assessment whether to maintain the full alert status.

Bartolome discussed security plans with five District Directors from NCRPO Tuesday, tasking them to identify areas for rallies and programs, coordinate with mayors who will be giving permits for the rallies and programs of labor groups, and speak with labor leaders to ensure their safety in such activities.

Police will “be meeting with the labor groups’ leaders and the city and municipal mayors,” Bartolome said. The NCRPO chief has also ordered police commanders to assist in traffic management.

Bartolome said he will be doing inspections on police officers deployed all over the Metro. “This is to ensure that our plans are followed and make the necessary adjustments, if and when needed,” he said.