The Philippine National Police (PNP) places all its forces in Metro Manila and the rest of the country under highest security alert status following a lightning protest action staged by the religious group Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) at the People Power Monument in Quezon City on Tuesday, June 30.

A separate gathering of protesters was also monitored at the Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila and the PNP started pouring more policemen as the protesters swelled to up to 9,000 in Quezon City.

PNP Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr. said the full alert status took effect at 5 a.m. on Tuesday and covers police forces nationwide, including  National Support Units (NSUs) and Camp-Crame based PNP offices and units were also placed under highest security alert status.

The NSUs include the elite Special Action Force, Maritime Group, Aviation Security Group, Highway Patrol Group and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).

“All personnel have been directed to maintain full operational readiness and perform their duties in accordance with established operational procedures,” Nartatez said.

Police presence

Nearly 6,000 policemen and other security forces were tapped to secure various areas that include EDSA Shrine, the Senate of the Philippines, Mendiola, Ayala Bridge, the U.S. Embassy, Liwasang Bonifacio, and other identified locations.

In a statement, the PNP said Civil Disturbance Management contingents, including the Reactionary Standby Support Forces (RSSF) and Quick Reaction Forces, remain on standby.

The objective is to respond immediately should the need arise.

Defending Marcoleta

The surprise protest action of the INC came a day after Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla announced that they will be filing a case of plunder against Sen. Rodante Marcoleta.

A known INC member, Marcoleta was investigated over his admission that he received P75 million as campaign donation from three people, including former lawmaker Mike Defensor.

While he was cleared of election offenses, the alleged admission made on national television became a piece of evidence for a case of plunder by the Ombudsman since the amount involved is more than P50 million.

In a statement, the INC sees the filing of the case against Marcoleta as selective justice.

“Hindi tutol ang Iglesia Ni Cristo sa pagpapatupad ng batas, pero tutol kami sa pagbaluktot sa batas, lalo na kung ang layunin ay para pagtakpan ang katiwalian (The Iglesia ni Cristo is not against the enforcement of the law, but we oppose the distortion of the law, especially when its purpose is to cover up corruption),” said INC spokesperson Edwin Zabala

The INC said Marcoleta led the investigation into one of the biggest plunder cases in the country's history while he was chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee. Although he was later replaced as committee chair, it said he continued pursuing the issue and seeking justice.

“Ang ipinagtataka namin ay kung bakit siya na nagsusulong sa pag-expose ng mga sangkot sa napakalaking pagnanakaw sa Pilipinas ang kakasuhan at ipakukulong sa halip na ang mga na-expose (What puzzles us is why the one pushing to expose those behind the massive theft in the Philippines is the one being charged and jailed instead of those who were exposed),” Zabala said.

Clash

Four protesters were arrested while at least three policemen were injured following a clash that erupted when the rallyists allegedly tried to force a bus to block the northbound lane of EDSA near the People Power Monument.

The tension erupted when the policemen trying to prevent the bus from blocking EDSA were allegedly attacked by some of the protesters.

The incident prompted both the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the PNP to call on the protesters to keep the activity peaceful and orderly.

“The DILG calls on all participants and stakeholders to exercise their rights responsibly, uphold the rule of law, and cooperate with authorities throughout the activity,” the DILG statement read.

“The PNP calls on all participants to keep the activity peaceful and orderly and encourages the public to cooperate with authorities and observe traffic advisories in areas affected by the assembly,” the PNP statement read.

Nartatez said police forces were instructed to exercise maximum tolerance, remain impartial, uphold human rights, and carry out their duties with professionalism and restraint.

“The PNP remains committed to maintaining peace and order while safeguarding both public safety and the constitutional rights of every Filipino,” he said.