NO SPECIFIC TERROR THREAT ON MAY 1 RITES, SAYS PNP
MANILA, APRIL 28, 2008 (STAR) By Cecille Suerte Felipe - Police see no specific terror threat during the celebration of Labor Day on May 1.Chief Superintendent Nicanor Bartolome, Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesman, said police have yet to estimate the crowd that would attend the traditional mass actions calling for a wage increase and the grant of benefits to workers.
“Some groups have indicated the intention of participating… the PNP will always be prepared, whether the crowd is big or small,” he said.
“We always ensure that we can respond, just the same permits issued by LGU and we expect different groups to respect policies of this rule.”
In Manila, at least 2,500 policemen will be deployed in Liwasang Bonifacio and Chino Roces Bridge (Mendiola) to protect Malacañang during the Labor Day celebrations on May 1.
Manila police director Chief Superintendent Roberto Rosales said he and Bayan Muna chairman Renato Reyes and other rally leaders would meet tomorrow to discuss guidelines for the rally.
“I would ask Reyes and other rally leaders to police their ranks and prevent infiltrators from instigating violence,” he said.
He and Reyes have still to determine the venue of their meeting, which has the green light from Metro Manila police commander Director Geary Barias.
Rosales said he expects acting Manila Mayor Isko Moreno to issue a permit to Labor Day rallyists because May 1 is a holiday.
Manila police anti-riot squad would exercise maximum tolerance in dealing with the rallyists, he added.
Rosales said policemen deployed in rallies will not carry firearms.
“We are ready for any eventuality,” he said.
Security measures at government and private installations like the Pandacan oil depot and the US embassy would be doubled on May 1, Rosales said.
Eastern Police District director Chief Superintendent Leon Nilo de la Cruz said he will deploy at least 200 anti-riot policemen at the EDSA Shrine on May 1 to implement a Catholic Church ban on rallies in the area.
Bartolome said there is nothing unusual in their security preparation for the celebration of Labor Day on Thursday.
“The usual preparations that the PNP has been doing every time there is activity in Metro Manila, just like May 1 Labor Day, will also be applied,” he said.
“This time we will ensure there is enough number of personnel that can respond in any given time or situation.”
Bartolome said police have yet to see the plans of rallyists for the venue of their mass action.
Police are also planning to hold a dialogue with rally organizers, he added.
Last year, over 13,000 uniformed policemen were deployed all over Metro Manila to face about 30,000 workers participating in the traditional May 1 protests.
EPD tops anti-riot contest
Last April 26, the EPD with 92.74 percent, won a P30,000 prize and the title Best Civil Disturbance Management unit for the second straight year.
The Southern Police District landed in the second place with 91.92 percent, followed by the Quezon City Police District with 91.42 percent.
The Manila police was in fourth place.
Six CDM units participated in the competition.
The two last scores were given to the Regional Special Action Unit and the Northern Police District, with 85.4 percent and 84.92 percent. — with Non Alquitran, Evelyn Macairan
Reported by: Sol Jose Vanzi
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