PNP security preparations ready for Labor Day protests
Published Apr 30, 2018 03:27 pm
By Martin Sadongdong
The Philippine National Police (PNP) today announced that security preparations are "ready" for the expected mass protests in commemoration of the Labor Day today, May 1, but believes fewer people will be joining this year's gatherings which will be organized by various labor groups.
PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde (Mark Balmores / MANILA BULLETIN)
PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said that in Metro Manila alone, around 5,000 to 10,000 cops will be deployed as civil disturbance management (CDM) contingents to ensure that the mass protests will be peaceful. This is aside from thousands more who will be fielded in the other regional and provincial police offices for other pocket rallies across the country.
"To the police on the ground, practice maximum tolerance just like what I've said. Let them conduct their rallies with or without permits as announced by the President," Albayalde said.
Over the weekend, the Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa said they are teaming up with the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) to gather around 150,000 rallyists in what they described as one, if not the biggest mass protests in decades.
However, Albayalde said that based on his observation as chief of the PNP and former director of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), people are becoming less enthusiastic when it comes to participating in rallies since President Duterte came into power in 2016.
"We are not belittling the capability of the KMU to muster this number of protesters. But for the last few years, we have seen that lesser and lesser people are joining the protest rallies," he said.
Last year, Albayalde recalled that only 3,000 to 5,000 persons participated in the Labor Day protest in Metro Manila.
"Although we do not expect that they will reach 15,000, we cannot take that for granted," he admitted.
"As a policy, our security forces will remain tolerant of lawful activities but will be firm and uncompromising in addressing acts of violence, disobedience, anarchy and disrespect for the rule of law," he added.
Albayalde said this must have also been because more and more people are slowly starting to realize the gains of the administration.
With this, Albayalde appealed to the leaders of labor groups to "do their part" in ensuring that the traditional Labor Day protests will be peaceful and safe.
"If the rallyists are obeying the laws, then we will have no problem with that. We will let them scream until they couldn't scream anymore. We will let them curse and cuss at us but please, do not hurt other people, the civilians. Do not destroy properties. That's all we are asking from you," he said.
"Otherwise, we will be forced to arrest you, and file a case against you and your leaders also," he warned.
As of writing, the PNP said no threats have been monitored for the commemoration of the Labor Day and a nationwide heightened alert status is currently being implemented.
However, Albayalde told labor leaders to look after their group members to avoid being infiltrated by local terror groups as he said there have been instances in the past that such thing happened, resulting to bloody protests and casualties.
"In these times of activities, especially that there are a lot of people converging in one place, we are always saying that they should be careful and vigilant," he stated.
PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde (Mark Balmores / MANILA BULLETIN)
PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said that in Metro Manila alone, around 5,000 to 10,000 cops will be deployed as civil disturbance management (CDM) contingents to ensure that the mass protests will be peaceful. This is aside from thousands more who will be fielded in the other regional and provincial police offices for other pocket rallies across the country.
"To the police on the ground, practice maximum tolerance just like what I've said. Let them conduct their rallies with or without permits as announced by the President," Albayalde said.
Over the weekend, the Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa said they are teaming up with the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) to gather around 150,000 rallyists in what they described as one, if not the biggest mass protests in decades.
However, Albayalde said that based on his observation as chief of the PNP and former director of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), people are becoming less enthusiastic when it comes to participating in rallies since President Duterte came into power in 2016.
"We are not belittling the capability of the KMU to muster this number of protesters. But for the last few years, we have seen that lesser and lesser people are joining the protest rallies," he said.
Last year, Albayalde recalled that only 3,000 to 5,000 persons participated in the Labor Day protest in Metro Manila.
"Although we do not expect that they will reach 15,000, we cannot take that for granted," he admitted.
"As a policy, our security forces will remain tolerant of lawful activities but will be firm and uncompromising in addressing acts of violence, disobedience, anarchy and disrespect for the rule of law," he added.
Albayalde said this must have also been because more and more people are slowly starting to realize the gains of the administration.
With this, Albayalde appealed to the leaders of labor groups to "do their part" in ensuring that the traditional Labor Day protests will be peaceful and safe.
"If the rallyists are obeying the laws, then we will have no problem with that. We will let them scream until they couldn't scream anymore. We will let them curse and cuss at us but please, do not hurt other people, the civilians. Do not destroy properties. That's all we are asking from you," he said.
"Otherwise, we will be forced to arrest you, and file a case against you and your leaders also," he warned.
As of writing, the PNP said no threats have been monitored for the commemoration of the Labor Day and a nationwide heightened alert status is currently being implemented.
However, Albayalde told labor leaders to look after their group members to avoid being infiltrated by local terror groups as he said there have been instances in the past that such thing happened, resulting to bloody protests and casualties.
"In these times of activities, especially that there are a lot of people converging in one place, we are always saying that they should be careful and vigilant," he stated.