Police on heightened alert for anti-pork rally

MANILA, Philippines – Twenty percent of the entire Metro Manila police force will be tasked to secure the protest against the pork barrel system at Rizal Park on Monday, a Philippine National Police (PNP) official said.

Looking properly porcine, young activists push for the abolition of the graft-swamped pork barrel during a protest rally along Taft Avenue in Manila. RICHARD A. REYES/INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

Chief Superintendent Reuben Theodore Sindac, in an interview over radio, said ‎”Task Force Manila Shield” has been activated by the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) since 8 p.m. on Sunday.

“Twenty percent of their (NCRPO) force will be deployed to the activities in Metro Manila to ensure peace and order in all areas,” Sindac.

Marking the first anniversary of the Million People March, thousands are expected to gather at Luneta ‎to officially launch the signing for People’s Initiative to create a law completely abolishing the pork system.

Tents and booths will be set up for the sign-up drive by the protest organizers‎ as they aim to gather six million signatures.

He said the NCRPO will send its public safety battalion and traffic management forces to maintain‎ order in the area.

The police official also assured that no threats were monitored by the police for the rally, which coincides with the National Heroes’ Day commemorations.

As for the PNP, all its units were ‎placed under heightened alert as mass actions are also expected to be held in other parts of the country.

But Sindac asked the groups who will participate in the rally ‎to cooperate with the police.

‎”Nanawagan sana kami na panatilihing maayos at mapayapa para hindi ito pagsmantalahan ng mga threat groups,” he said.