PNP to go on full alert on eve of Labor Day rallies

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine National Police (PNP) will go on full alert on Wednesday in anticipation of the scheduled Labor Day protest rallies, GMA’s Flash Report said Monday. Chief Superintendent Nicanor Bartolome, PNP spokesman, assured that while police will keep tight watch over the protest actions, they will maintain maximum tolerance in dealing with protesters. Earlier, the Manila Police District said it will deploy at least 2,500 police personnel to guard Malacañang's perimeter areas and other key areas in Manila in anticipation of protest rallies during the Labor Day celebration. Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has also started making preparations for the rallies on Labor Day, which coincides with the seven anniversary of the May 1 siege of Malacañang by supporters of ousted President Joseph Estrada. AFP National Capital Region Command chief Maj. Gen. Fernando Mesa said they plan to raise their security alert status on May if the need arises. At present, the NCRcom - whose main function is to protect the seat of government – is on blue alert. “Situational," he said when they are going on red alert. “We are just on blue alert but we can raise that anytime," said Mesa in a joint press conference with National Capital Region Police chief Director Geary Barias in Camp Aguinaldo. Mesa said the NCRcom will be on stand by to provide the necessary assistance to the NCRPO in case their assistance are needed. “We will always be in support of the NCRPO in case they seek our assistance," he said. For his part, Barias said the NCRPO is holding a dialogue with the rally organizers at the Manila City Hall to ensure that no untoward incidents occur on Labor Day which is traditional met by demonstrations by labor organizations. “Now on the areas where the demonstrations, rallies will happen, we do not have the final list yet…but I think the concentration of the rallies will still be in Manila," Barias said, adding the NCRPO is coordinating with NCRcom in handling the situation. Barias said number of policemen and civil disturbance management personnel would be dependent on the number of rallyists. He said the PNP will have an idea on number rallyists today when the rallyist organizers file request for permits. “Maybe by tomorrow we would have a clearer picture how many are we going to deploy but even at this point in time, we can already say that we are deploying not less than 2,000 PNP and Armed Forces of the Philippines (personnel)," Barias said. - GMANews.TV