The Philippine National Police (PNP) has not monitored any serious threat for the Nov. 30 Trillion Peso March but a stronger security contingent will be deployed to ensure the safety of those who would join the anti-corruption protests, particularly at the People Power Monument in Quezon City.
Acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez, Jr. said the more than 15,000 policemen will be tapped to secure the protest sites in Metro Manila and all of them were instructed to exercise maximum tolerance but must always be alert for quick response in cases of any eventuality.
“The deployment is not about intimidation, it's about readiness. We expect a large number of crowds in multiple activity areas so our personnel on the ground should be quick in responding to emergencies and even any violation of the law,” said Nartatez.
“Let me be clear that law enforcement presence does not mean aggressive action. The order for maximum tolerance still remains,” he added.
Police forces across the country were placed on highest security alert status at 5 p.m. on Nov. 28 to ensure maximum availability of personnel and resources until after the event.
Under the full alert status, all police personnel are on duty and leaves are temporarily suspended, while all regional forces were mobilized, as well as civil disturbance management contingents, crowd-control elements, traffic enforcement teams, EOD/K9 units, police mobile forces, and medical/first-aid groups.
Command posts, quick-reaction teams, and standby forces have also been activated.
Around 8,800 police personnel from the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) and 6,200 police personnel from the Special Action Force (SAF) and regional police offices will be deployed for the planned protests on Novmeber 30, which includes major groups from organizers of the Trillion Peso March and Baha sa Luneta movements.
Major deployment areas include Luneta Park, People Power Monument, EDSA Shrine, sites around Malacañang, as well as the House of Representatives, Senate, and the Independent Commission for Infrastructure in Taguig.
To further strengthen security controls, the Nartatez said they will be enforcing the suspension of all Permits to Carry Firearms Outside of Residence (PTCFOR) in Metro Manila from 12:01 a.m. of Nov. 29 until 11:59 p.m. of Dec. 1, 20.
Only uniformed personnel of the police, military and other law enforcement agencies performing official duties are allowed to carry firearms during this period.
While no specific or credible threat has been detected so far, Nartatez said proactive measures remain necessary.
The PNP is also gearing up for possible infiltration attempts by groups seeking to cause unrest, similar to what happened during the Sept. 21 rally in Manila.
To bolster transparency and accountability, Nartatez directed police ground commanders to finalize security coordination with protest organizers and partner agencies, require the use of body-worn cameras in all police engagements, and deploy human rights affairs officers across the activity areas.
“We fully respect the people’s right to peaceful assembly, and our commitment is to provide a safe, orderly, and secure environment for everyone on November 30,” said Nartatez.