Policemen block the protesters during the Labor Day march by some groups calling for wage increase in Manila on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 to call for wage increase. Police forces in Metro Manila were placed on full alert since April 29, the start of the three-day strike by transport group Piston. (Arnold Quizol)
More than 3,200 people joined the protest action to mark the celebration of Labor Day on Wednesday, May 1, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said as it declared that all the activities held in Metro Manila were generally peaceful.
NCRPO spokesperson Lt. Col. Eunice Salas said they started monitoring the activities of protesters on Wednesday morning, from Quezon City where some of the rallyists converged up to their protest sites in Manila.
Among the monitored sites where protest actions were held were Plaza Rajah Sulayman, Roxas Boulevard, Manila; Savemore Supermarket, Roxas Blvd, Manila; Quirinio Grandstand, Ermita, Manila; Vicinity of Liwasang Bonifacio, Ermita, Manila; Plaza Salamanca/ National Library of the Philippines, Kalaw Avenue Ermita Manila; Vinson’s Hall UP Diliman Quezon City; CRB Mendiola; UST Espana; CM Recto corner Quezon Blvd Manila; and Welcome Rotonda, Brgy. Sta. Teresita, Q.C.
The NCRPO has deployed around 12,000 policemen were deployed to secure the Labor Day celebrations in various parts of the country.
Salas said the deployment were for route security, anti-criminality interventions, medical team, drone operators, Civil Disturbance Management (CDM) contingents, beat and mobile patrol.
The NCRPO earlier declared full alert status to ensure the peaceful conduct of a three-day transport strike which were joined by labor groups from April 29.
"The Labor Day alongside the transport strike in Metro Manila initially proceeded peacefully and orderly," said Salas.
"With this, Team NCRPO ensures adequate security measures in place with more than 12,000 deployed personnel for route security, anti-criminality interventions, medical team, drone operators, CDM contingents, beat and mobile patrol," the NCRPO said.