PNP beefs up ASEAN security vs. protesters

The Philippine National Police deployed Tuesday 1,000 more personnel from the Special Action Force and Region 4A in anticipation of more protest actions related to the 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Meetings.

“Nagdagdag tayo ng augmentation galing sa Special Action Force at galing sa 4A na more or less 1000 pa,” National Capital Region Police Office chief Director Oscar Albayalde said in an interview with GMA News’ “Unang Balita.”

“Para lang ‘yung mga nakadetail sa hotels ay pwedeng i-pull out at ipapalit natin at pwedeng idagdag sa CDM contingents natin,” he added.

He said 28 police personnel were hurt during the clash between the security forces and protesters when the police conducted crowd dispersal management (CDM) on Monday.

Albayalde asked the rallyists not to force their way in trying to get near the venue of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit and Related Meetings.

“Dahil sa pagpupumilit nilang pumasok sa barikada natin at pagpupumilit nilang makalapit sa Philippine International Convention Center na sinabi naman nating hindi pwedeng makalapit sa vicinity even doon sa Roxas Boulevard. ‘Wag na po nilang ipilit ‘yun. Hindi naman po yata maganda tignan na may nagrarally sa tapat ng PICC,” he said.

He assured the protesters that they would be allowed to hold rallies and air their grievances as long as they would not hurt other people.

The police will still implement the maximum tolerance approach in dealing with the rallyists, Albayalde noted.

“Kita naman na hindi nagreact ang ating kapulisan until naging violent at nagsimula silang manakit ng kapulisan natin,” he said.

The PNP sees no looming security problem related to the ASEAN events except the protest actions.

“Sa ngayon walang problema sa pagbibigay ng security. Everything went well. Lumalabas na ang binabantayan na lang natin ngayon ay yung militanteng grupo,” Albayalde said. — Amita Legaspi/VDS, GMA News