AFP on standby for May 1 rallies

MANILA, Philippines – Military forces in Metro Manila will be placed on standby for the May 1 observance of  Labor Day, but a ranking official said troops would only augment the police if and when they are called upon.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) will be placed on full alert starting tomorrow to ensure the peaceful and orderly celebration of the holiday.

Maj. Gen. Fernando Mesa, commander of the military’s National Capital Region Command (NCRCOM), said they would put on stand-
by civil disturbance
management units that could be immediately deployed if the need arises.

“We will always be in support of the NCRPO (National Capital Region Police Office),” he said.

He said at present, the NCRCOM is under blue alert status but this could be raised depending on the situation.

NCRPO Director Geary Barias said he is going to meet with rally organizers today to iron out plans for Thursday’s protest actions.

PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Nicanor Bartolome said the police force in Metro Manila and some parts of the country will be placed on full alert to help prepare for any eventuality.

“Full alert will be implemented a day before May 1 in Metro Manila and other parts of the country,” Bartolome said during a briefing at Camp Crame. He clarified that there is no specific terror threat for the celebration of Labor Day.

“As of now no specific threats yet or reports indicating that there will be problems on May 1,” said Bartolome on the security assessment for the holiday.

He said other security preparations will be handled by Barias.

Bartolome added that the police have yet to estimate the crowd that would attend the mass actions, which would press for the increase of salary and granting of all benefits, particularly on health.

He said the PNP will always be prepared regardless of the crowd.

 “The usual preparations that the PNP has been doing every time there is activity in Metro Manila, just like May 1 Labor Day, will also be applied,” Bartolome added. “This time we will ensure there is enough personnel that can respond to any given situation.”

Various cause-oriented groups, on the other hand, are now in the thick of preparations for their simultaneous May 1 nationwide rallies.

According to the Manggagawa Para sa Kalayaan ng Bayan (MAKABAYAN) and Partido ng Manggagawa (PM), the militant groups will start to hold rallies on April 30 through May 1 which will be attended by their members from Southern Tagalog, Central Luzon and Metro Manila.

Rene Magtubo, president of PM, had demanded from the Arroyo government a legislated wage hike, tax exemption for lower income families, cost of living allowance (COLA), moratorium on demolition of shanties, more jobs, and additional social services.

The militants said the Arroyo administration has failed to work on these demands and has only spent a lot of time on political issues.

In Manila, the militant groups plan to hold protest actions at the Liwasang Bonifacio and Mendiola to air their demands.

At least 3,000 policemen from the Manila Police District (MPD) will be deployed in Liwasang Bonifacio and Mendiola to protect Malacañang.

Acting Manila Mayor Isko Moreno is expected to issue a permit to Labor Day rallyists because May 1 is a holiday.

Senior Superintendent Cipriano Querol, deputy for operations, said MPD will revive “Manila’s Armour” against the rallyists, which organizers expect to reach 10,000.

“There will also be augmentation force from other police districts. The 3,000 policemen will be solely deployed for civil disturbance management. We will make sure that government and private functions will not be disturbed during the rallies,” Querol said. – Sandy Araneta, Cecille Suerte Felipe, Nestor Etolle