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Nearly 60K cops to secure Labor Day events

By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan

April 29, 2023, 11:56 am

<p><em>(Courtesy NCRPO-PIO)</em></p>

(Courtesy NCRPO-PIO)

MANILA – A total of 59,587 cops will be deployed across the country to ensure a peaceful commemoration of Labor Day on Monday.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) also reminded its officers to strictly observe the policy of maximum tolerance, respect for human rights and adherence to Police Operational Procedures.

The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said it will deploy 10,529, including over 1,000 Reactionary Standby Support Force from the regional headquarters.

NCRPO chief Maj. Gen. Edgar Alan Okubo said in a statement Saturday that the security plan includes strategic personnel deployment, civil disturbance management, anti-criminality intervention, counter-terrorism, traffic management, emergency response team, monitoring of lightning rallies, and other related security measures.

He reiterated the “no permit, no rally” policy, except for freedom parks.

“We are not the enemies of the rallyists. I assure that the NCRPO is always ready to secure the public from any eventuality as well as guarantee that your police force will deal with those who will conduct rallies with maximum tolerance and utmost respect for human rights. Protesters must follow existing laws and ordinances to ensure the successful conduct of this event," Okubo said.

Meanwhile, PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said the main focus of the deployment is on freedom parks and other areas where protest actions and other activities are expected in connection with the Labor Day celebration.

She said among the areas to be guarded are Chino Roces Bridge (Mendiola) in Manila, Quezon Memorial Circle, and Mabuhay Rotonda in Quezon City.

As for transportation hubs, she said these were secured early in anticipation of another round of exodus of travelers who want to take advantage of the long weekend break.

She also said the alert level for the PNP has not been raised since police commanders on the ground were given the authority to raise their respective alert levels depending on the situation in their areas of responsibility.

“This will be a normal alert, but definitely on the part of the national headquarters, we will be monitoring national events,” Fajardo said. (PNA)

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