Ninoy Aquino Day commemoration in Manila generally peaceful
At A Glance
- The Ninoy Aquino Day commemoration in Manila remained generally peaceful and orderly on Friday, August 21, amid heightened police visibility and intensified monitoring in key areas across the city.
(Photo courtesy of MPD Chief Brig. Gen. Arnold Santiago)
The Ninoy Aquino Day commemoration in Manila was generally peaceful and orderly on Friday, Aug. 21, amid heightened police visibility and intensified monitoring in key areas across the city.
The Manila Police District (MPD) deployed personnel at strategic locations, including Plaza Miranda, the U.S. Embassy and Mendiola, to maintain peace and order and ensure the safety of commuters, motorists and participants during the observance.
MPD District Director Brigadier General Atty. Arnold C. Santiago personally inspected police personnel deployed in the areas as part of the district’s security measures.
The heightened police presence was also sustained in the MPD’s “Big 3 Non-Negotiable Areas” identified by the Special Mayor’s Reaction Team (SMaRT) Task Force SAGIP, CM Recto–Divisoria, covering the Binondo and Tondo sides; Blumentritt; and Carriedo in Sta. Cruz.
Despite being among the busiest and most heavily trafficked areas in Manila, the three areas remained generally peaceful, orderly and safe amid the intensified police visibility, according to the MPD.
Police personnel continued to conduct clearing operations, patrols and area monitoring in the three areas, which regularly experience heavy pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
The operations were aimed at preventing obstructions, public disturbances and other violations that could disrupt traffic flow and compromise public safety, the MPD said.
Police Chief Master Sergeant Gerardo “Tata Gerry” Tubera led the activities of SMaRT Task Force SAGIP under the supervision of Lt. Col. Cicero Pura, chief of SMaRT.
The team coordinated with police community precincts covering the areas, including the J. Luna precinct of Police Station 11, Dagupan Outpost of Police Station 2, Blumentritt Precinct and Plaza Miranda Precinct of Police Station 3.
The MPD said the continued police visibility and monitoring were part of Santiago’s directive to maintain peace and order in major areas of Manila.
The heightened security measures allowed the public to observe Ninoy Aquino Day while police units remained on alert and continued monitoring major areas of the capital.