PNP says it’s ready for September 21 protests

The Philippine National Police (PNP) said it is ready to assist and manage the anticipated protests to take place on September 21.

In a press conference on Wednesday, PNP Public Information Officer Police Brigadier General Randulf Tuaño said they were set to deploy 23,201 personnel nationwide.

“Sa kasalukuyang status ng PNP, especially sa NCRPO, ay heightened alert at ito ay mag-a-adjust according sa ating directory for operations habang paparating o papalapit na ang September 21,” he shared.

(The current status of PNP, especially NCRPO, is at heightened alert and this will adjust according to our director for operations while September 21 is closely approaching.)

PNP has assigned a total of 9,239 personnel for checkpoint and border control, 5,917 for crowd management, 4,530 for reactionary standard support force, 415 for drone operations, and 3,100 for traffic management.

They also estimated that there would be fewer than 10,000 attendees on the ground.

“Ang sources po natin nito ay both open sources at intelligence unit sources po, sapagkat ang open sources po mapapansin po ninyo madami silang sinasabi na panghihikayat,” he shared.

(Our sources for this is both open sources and intelligence unit sources, as open sources note that they were able to convince a lot to join.)

Different from Nepal, Indonesia protests

Tuaño said that they are on top of alleged reports inciting violence.

“Hindi natin isasawalang-bahala ang mga report na nakuha natin katulad nung mga nakuha natin ng September 12 [at] September 13, kung saan maraming nahihikayat [na sumali]… Ang PNP ay handang-handa para sa September 21 rally,” he shared.

(We are not ignoring the reports that we receive, just like the ones we got for the September 12 [and] September 13, where they were able to incite a lot [to join]… The PNP is ready for the September 21 rally.)

The PIO officer also said that the incoming protests differ from those conducted in other countries as the current probe into corruption had been brought up by President "Bongbong" Ferdinand Marcos Jr. himself.

“Dito po sa atin ang mismong ating Pangulong Bongbong Marcos ang mismong nag-initiate at nagsimula para imbestigahan ang mga diumanong anumalya sa flood control projects. ‘Yun po ang pagkakaiba niya kumpara sa insidente ng Nepal at Indonesia,” he said.

(Here, our President Bongbong Marcos himself initiated and started the investigation into the alleged anomalies with flood control projects. That is the difference compared to the incidents with Nepal and Indonesia.)

Tuaño also said that that the PNP respects freedom of expression and is dedicated to ensuring order and peace throughout the rallies.

“Hinihikayat po ng Philippine National Police at iba pang mga kasama natin sa pamahalaan na makipagtulungan, katulad po ng nangyayari ng September 12 at September 13, kung saan nanawagan tayo sa mga organizers or leaders at naging mapayapa naman... Ang police po ay magiging present, magiging mapagpasensya maximum tolerance po at papakinggan ang hinaing ng mga kababayan natin lalo na po yung organizers na magrarally at makikipagusap satin na may mga permit,” he said.

(We, at the Philippine National Police and our other colleagues at the government, are encouraging cooperation, just like what happened last September 12 and 13, where we called for organizers or leaders and it was peaceful… The police will be present, and will exert maximum tolerance and will also listen to the sentiments of our countrymen, especially the organizers who will rally and talk to us with permits.)

He added that the PNP is also in coordination with the Land Transportation Office (LTO), the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to conduct free rides and assist passengers amid the ongoing transport strikes.

Over 200 sectoral and church groups have expressed intent to conduct protests on September 21 to call out the massive corruption uncovered by anomalous flood control projects led by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

The protests on September 21 will coincide with the 53rd anniversary of the Martial Law declaration in 1972. — BM, GMA Integrated News