(Photo courtesy of PNP)
MANILA – The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) on Thursday assured intensified security measures for the inauguration of President-elect Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. at the National Museum of the Philippines on June 30.
NCRPO chief, Maj. Gen. Felipe Natividad made the remark after Interior and Local Government Undersecretary and National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict spokesperson Jonathan Malaya, quoting former cadres of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front, said the communist movement is out to disrupt the event and discredit the incoming administration.
“We in NCRPO berate this attempt of the leftist organizations to taint the peace and order in the incoming inauguration. We will provide all the necessary security and safety operations to ensure the successful conduct of the said occasion,” Natividad said in a message.
Natividad said 15,213 personnel including Joint Task Force-National Capital Region, Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of Fire Protection, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Department of Health and force multipliers will be deployed in different areas during the inauguration and sufficient contingents shall be on standby should the need arises.
He has also ordered intensified police visibility and continuous patrol operations around the inauguration venue to deter possible law violators from committing unlawful acts.
“Our police are ready to provide security and maintain peace and order during the upcoming inauguration of our new president. Whatever these leftist groups are planning, we will make sure that it does not affect the program. I also ask for the cooperation of the public not to be fooled and refuse to be lured by the motives of these groups who are out to sow chaos,” he said.
Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Valeriano de Leon, PNP director for operations, said they are now coordinating with the MMDA and the city government of Manila for the traffic rerouting in the vicinity of the museum.
"We are aware that the roads in this area are very busy. That is why we are constantly coordinating with the MMDA and the Manila City LGU to come up with the best rerouting plan to ease the inconvenience on the part of the motorists and the commuting public," he added.
Maritime patrols intensified
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) stepped up its patrols along Manila Bay and the Pasig River as part of its preparation for the inauguration of Marcos.
In a statement on Thursday, PCG Commandant CG Admiral Artemio Abu has ordered security forces from the PCG District National Capital Region – Central Luzon to “prepare accordingly and coordinate” with other security forces from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police and the Presidential Security Group.
“We are mustering our security personnel, K9 teams, and medical groups to make sure that we will be able to ensure peace and security during the inauguration of our president-elect,” Abu said.
The PCG is set to deploy 300 personnel during the event, with an additional 200 personnel for possible force augmentation. (PNA)
