Close to two hundred cops from different units were deployed to secure the first Commission on Elections-organized vice presidential debate to be held at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila on Sunday.
READ: LIVESTREAM: The vice presidential debate in UST
Sampaloc Police Station commander Supt. Mannan Muarip, ground commander for the debate security, said 192 policemen from Manila Police District and augmentation forces from the National Capital Region Police Office are securing the venue for the event
In an interview hours before the debate, Muarip said Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) officers from the Armed Forces of the Philippines are in charge of clearing the building from any explosive.
The Campaign against the Return of the Marcoses to Malacañang (CARMMA) and militant group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) are set to stage a protest against Senator Bongbong Marcos at 3 p.m.
Muarip said the police, like in all rallies, will enforce maximum tolerance in handling the protesters.
“It is in our existing police operating procedure to enforce maximum tolerance for as long as they will not destroy peace and order here,” he said.
Security is tight around UST. Police had difficulty containing supporters who wanted to gain entry inside the campus. As early as 11 a.m., thousands of supporters have lined up outside the Gate 2 of the university.
But Muarip reiterated that limited persons will be allowed inside as the organizers allotted only 2,000 seats for the general public.
The organizers provided 150 seats for the supporters of each VP candidate.
All six VP candidates have confirmed their attendance for the debate hosted by CNN Philippines and BusinessMirror. The debate proper will start at 5 p.m. CDG
READ: All 6 candidates to attend VP debate at UST