Tighter security ahead of 2009 massacre verdict

MANILA, Philippines — The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) has beefed up the security in Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City ahead of the expected promulgation of the 2009 Maguindanao massacre case on Dec. 19.

NCRPO acting director Brig. Gen. Debold Sinas said they have tightened security in the vicinity of the court where the promulgation of the case would be held.

But he was quick to add that they had not received any security threat.

“There are no threats. It’s just that it’s difficult to secure the area during the actual date,”Sinas told reporters after attending the Mass officiated by the Manila Archbishop, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, at the Manila Cathedral on Sunday.

“Right now we’re assessing the area. We’re coordinating with the court. We’re asking guidance from the court on how to secure them inside Camp Bicutan,”he added.

The NCRPO chief has ensured the security of Presiding Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 221, as well as the prosecutors and lawyers handling the case.

Sinas said that policemen would monitor the entrance and exit points.

He added that the camp would be on lockdown, especially in the detention facility, a few days before the promulgation.

Rallies or protest actions will be prohibited while the proceeding is ongoing so they placed police civil disturbance units on alert, Sinas said.

Apart from Sinas, officials of the police districts under the NCRPO and its more than a thousand police officers attended the Mass at the Manila Cathedral.

In an audience with Tagle before the Mass, Sinas said the cardinal discussed with them the security preparations for next year’s Black Nazarene procession.

“We asked for the blessing and we received the guidance so we are now preparing for it,”he said.