PNP orders cops to observe maximum tolerance in rallies
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) issued a strong reminder to its personnel to observe "maximum tolerance" during the three-day public demonstration by religious group Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) in Manila.
In a statement, PNP Chief Police Lieutenant General Jose Nartatez Jr. reminded deployed personnel that their duty is to protect, not to intimidate and that force must be considered only as a final resort and must be both "necessary and appropriate."
"As you begin your three-day deployment in the assembly sites and other strategic areas, let me remind again that we have no business of using our power and authority to intimidate and hurt the civilians that we vowed to serve and protect," Nartatez said in a statement.
"As your Acting Chief of the Philippine National Police, I expect each and every police officer on the ground to exercise maximum tolerance and only use the necessary and appropriate force as a last resort—and only against those who have a twisted concept that violence is part of the freedom of expression," he added.
He also reminded the personnel of the role of the police in the nation's democratic processes, reminding personnel that their loyalty is to the Constitution.
"Let me also emphasize that we in the Philippine National Police are not the savior of this country, rather, we are the protector of the Philippines, its people, its laws, and all the democratic institutions it represents," he said.
"Let us then focus to our mandate of respecting the duly-constituted authorities, upholding the Constitution, and serving and protecting the Filipino people," he added.
The INC is holding a three-day anti-corruption rally at the Quirino Grandstand from November 16 to 18.
In response, the Philippine National Police said it will deploy at least 16,664 police officers for the rallies of the INC.
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