NCRPO ready for anti-‘pork’ rally in Rizal Park

MANILA, Philippines - As thousands or even a million are expected to gather in Rizal Park for an anti-pork barrel rally on Monday, police said they are ready to keep peace and order in the area and ensure no terrorists or other troublemakers blend in the ranks of the protesters.

Police spokesman Senior Superintendent Reuben Theodore Sindac said National Capital Regional Police Office (NCRPO) director Chief Superintendent Marcelo Garbo Jr. will try to connect with the organizers to give them assurance and seek their help in ensuring peace and order during the rally.

“Director Garbo has already taken the initial preventive actions. First, he is trying to reach out to coordinate with convenors and organizers of the one million anti-“pork” rally. Since we all know that this is a movement by netizens, the approach is also through Internet,” said Sindac in a briefing yesterday.

Manila Police District (MPD) director Chief Superintendent Isagani Genabe said effective 1 p.m. today, the entire Manila police  will be placed on full alert in preparation for the mass actions.

“We already have standardized SOP (standard operation procedure) and institutionalize measures, which will be implemented on that day. We will have CDM (Civil Disturbance Management), traffic control in case there will be problem on the traffic flow,” said Sindac.

Park secured

The National Park and Development Committee (NPDC)  said Rizal Park is ready and well-secured for Monday’s protest rally.

“Our primary concern is the safety and security of those people coming to Luneta so there will be sufficient number of policemen to ensure that Monday’s event will be peaceful and orderly,” Kenneth Montegrande, NPDC spokesman, said.

Montegrande said the NPDC’s in-house security will also be helping in securing the park and maintaining peace and order.

“Medical and rescue teams from Red Cross and other non-government organizations will also be deployed and we have also tapped the services of the Metro Manila Development Authority,” he added.

“The organizers are very cooperative during the meeting and we have requested them not to burn effigies, not to nail posters in the trees and to pick up the garbage after the rally so we can preserve the site,” he said.

Manila Mayor Joseph  Estrada said there is no need to secure a permit for the rally. Militant groups particularly the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) said they are joining the rally. 

“Monday’s protest will be an important display of national solidarity against corruption. There is no denying the overwhelming clamor of the people,” said Bayan secretary general Renato Reyes.

Meanwhile, a group calling itself concerned sons and daughters of the Philippine Military Academy condemned lawmakers and their cohorts for embezzling pork barrel funds.

“We are aghast, disgusted and enraged at such wanton display of shamelessness by those who are elected to serve and protect the people. Rather than fulfill their sworn oaths, they unabashedly used their position to steal, deceive and enrich themselves at the expense of their fellowmen most of whom continue to suffer in utter poverty,” the group said in a manifesto. – With Jaime Laude, Rhodina  Villanueva, Mayen Jaymalin