More than 16K police personnel to be deployed for Nov. 30 NCR rallies

The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) on Saturday said its more than 16,000 personnel are ready to be deployed to maintain peace and order during the November 30 anti-corruption rallies in Metro Manila.

"Yes po, tama po kayo (you are right)," NCRPO spokesperson Police Major Hazel Asilo said in an interview on Dobol B TV when asked if the police force is all systems go for Sunday.

"Ang ating 16,670 personnel ay nakahanda na para ipakalat sa buong Metro Manila para i-secure ang iba't ibang na-monitor natin na mga pagtitipon bukas, November 30," Asilo said.

(Our 16,670 personnel are ready to be deployed in the entire Metro Manila to secure the various rallies scheduled tomorrow.)

Those who will be assigned to face rallyists will not be armed but will just have shields and batons. However, those providing perimeter security and arresting officers will carry firearms and handcuffs, Asilo said.

The NCRPO spokesperson said they are going to heighten security in areas where no rally permit is required or has been given.

This includes Liwasang Bonifacio which is a freedom park, meaning no permit is required for those who want to exercise their right to assembly and free speech.

"Since ang Liwasang Bonifacio po — 'yun ang initial nating na-monitor na area kung saan sila magtitipon-tipon — ito ay freedom park so okay lang na wala silang permit. Kaya lang, 'yung possibility na magmartsa sila sa kung saan na kailangan ng permit is 'yun ang binabantayan natin," Asilo said.

(Liwasang Bonifacio is one area that we have initially monitored as a place where they will gather. It is a freedom park so it's okay if they do not have a permit. However, there is the possibility that rallyists will march from there to a place where a permit is required, and that is what we will monitor.)

Mendiola in Manila is off-limits, she said.

"Ang Mendiola ay hindi pwede sa kahit anong pagtitipon. Off limits po yan. Hindi po 'yan talaga binibigyan ng permit," Asilo said.

(No gathering is allowed in Mendiola. That is off limits. No rally permit is given for this area.)

"So 'yung Luneta ay kailangan din ng permit, kasi kailangan nilang kumuha ng mag-secure ng clearance mula sa ating National Parks (Development Committee) ganu'n din sa local government unit," she added.

(Luneta needs a permit for rally because organizers need also to secure clearance from our National Parks, as well as from the local government unit.)

Asilo said possible other areas where rallyists may go to are Quiapo and the US Embassy. 

"Hindi po puwede ang Quiapo at US Embassy dahil daanan po 'yan," she added.

(You cannot hold rallies in Quiapo or US Embassy because that is a road.)

As for EDSA People Power Monument, the organizers of the rally there were given a permit by the Quezon City local government unit, Asilo said.

However, no permit was given for EDSA Shrine assembly "kasi kalsada (because it is by the roadside)."

"People Power Monument lang ang binigyan ng permit. Ang in-allow ay isang area ng White Plains (Avenue). 'Yung kabila (EDSA) ay gagamitin ng mga sasakyan. Hindi po puwedeng sakupin (ng mga rallyists) ang EDSA," Asilo said.

(Only the rally at People Power Monument was given a permit. Rallyists are allowed to use one area of White Plains Avenue. The other side, EDSA, is for vehicles. Rallyists cannot spill over to EDSA.)

Philippine National Police acting chief Police Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. on Friday said maximum tolerance will be observed.

The NCRPO has been on full alert since November 28 for the Nov. 30 rallies.

Reminders

The NCRPO spokesperson reminded those who will take part in the rallies on Sunday that the following are not allowed in rally areas:

• firearms
• knives
• clubsticks
• firecrackers
• hazardous materials
• drones - "Ang PNP lamang ang allowed na gumamit ng drones although ang organizer is inallow sila basta sila ay magsasabi kung sila ay magpapalipad ng drones kasi no fly zone, no drone zone ang rally perimeters (Only the PNP is allowed to use drones although the organizer allowed their use as long as rallyists will give notice. The rally perimeters are no fly, no drone zones)," Asilo said.
• big bags
• glass bottles
• backpacks that are difficult to inspect
• liquor
• any substance that may trigger unruly behavior

 

In Manila, because of the LGU's Ordinance No. 9134 or the Anti-Balaclava and Other Face Covering Ordinance, rallyists are not allowed to wear balaclava, non-medical face mask, helmet, caps, hoodies, and tinted visor.

In Quezon City, although there is no such ordinance issued by the LGU, rallyists with face covering will be checked by police, Asilo said.

Meanwhile, permits to carry firearms outside of residence (PTCFORs) are suspended in Metro Manila from November 29 to December 1 in light of the scheduled massive protests against corruption on November 30.

The rally at EDSA People Power Monument is being organized by the Trillion Peso March Movement (TPPM). 

Around 120,000 individuals are expected to join the Trillion Peso March at EDSA People Power Monument, TPMM spokesperson Francis "Kiko" Aquino Dee earlier said.

Meanwhile, the Kilusang Bayan Kontra Kurakot (KBKK) is organizing the rally at Luneta. —KG, GMA Integrated News