Almost 1,000 PNP personnel deployed for PNoy's funeral —Eleazar

Philippine National Police chief Police General Guillermo Eleazar on Saturday said almost 1,000 cops have been deployed to provide security and ensure peace and order during the funeral of former President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III or PNoy.

"Ang ating kapulisan ay nakahanda na [sa libing ni dating Pangulong Aquino]. Almost 1,000 personnel initially ang deployment doon sa Ateneo de Manila University, Times Street, Manila Memorial Park at pati na rin sa dadaanan [ng convoy]," the PNP chief said in an interview on Dobol B TV.

(The PNP is ready [for the funeral of former President Aquino]. Almost 1,000 personnel were initially deployed to Ateneo de Manila University, Times Street, Manila Memorial Park and the route [of the funeral convoy].)

Eleazar said members of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) will provide security inside and outside Ateneo de Manila University.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has also deployed at least 100 personnel to assist them, Eleazar said.

"Pati na rin ang MMDA ay nagpasabi na mayroong at least 100 personnel na aalalay sa atin. Ang HPG [Highway Patrol Group] ay nandiyan din para tumulong sa maayos na paglilipat ng mga labi ng ating dating Pangulo sa kanyang huling hantungan," he added.

(The MMDA also said it has deployed at least 100 personnel to assist us. The HPG is also ready to help ensure the orderly transfer of the remains of the former President to his final resting place.)

Eleazar added that aside from QCPD, cops from the National Capital Region Police Office, Eastern Police District and Southern Police District will secure the route of the funeral convoy, which will take C5 Road then South Luzon Expressway then to Manila Memorial Park in Sucat in Parañaque City.

"Lahat ng mga lugar na dadaanan may mga nakaantabay," he said.

(All areas in the convoy route will be manned by police.) 

The PNP chief urged those intending to pay their respects to the former President along the route to observe social distancing.

However he encouraged the public to just monitor the funeral Mass, convoy and funeral via livestream.

"Ang panawagan ko, may live coverage naman. Ating sina-suggest na huwag na lang magpuntahan doon," Eleazar said.

(My appeal is for the public to just follow the live coverage and refrain from going there.)

Meanwhile, at the Church of the Gesu, personnel from the PNP-HPG have already arrived, according to a report by Manny Vargas on Dobol B TV.

They will escort the funeral convoy.

Honor guards from the Armed Forces of the Philippines were also at the church and were practicing their march already.

The funeral Mass is scheduled at 10 a.m. The funeral convoy will then immediately leave Ateneo for Manila Memorial Park.

Aquino passed away on Thursday morning at the age of 61 due to renal disease secondary to diabetes. —KG, GMA News