Superintendent Isias Antonio, NPD-Police Community Relations chief, said that the District Mobile Force, expert in crowd dispersal, has enough standby force and is always ready for action. "A rally without a mayors permit is illegal and if protesters push through with their plans then they could be arrested. The DMF is always ready," Antonio said.
Loyal followers of Vicencio lifted their five-day human barricade in front of the city hall Friday which was intended to thwart the Department of the Interior and Local Government men from serving the mayors suspension order at the city hall. But they vowed to return today and continue the fight.
The DILG officials led by Metro Manila director Raffy Benaldo, accompanied by NPD director Chief Superintendent Marcelino Franco Jr., served Thursday afternoon Vicencios 60-day preventive suspension order at the mayors residence in Araneta Village, Bgy. Potrero, Malabon.
The DILG men posted the order at the gate of Vicencios residence as nobody was there to receive it in the mayors behalf.
That night, Yambao was also sworn in as Malabons acting mayor.
Vicencio, however, said that the DILGs action was illegal. He said he would continue to exhaust all remedies to keep himself from being displaced from his post.
Additionally, traders affected by the five-day impasse urged yesterday Vicencios supporters to just let the court decide the fate of their leader.
"Bakit di na lang nila hayaan na korte ang mag-decide (Why dont they let the court decide the issue)," a trader said.
When Vicencios supporters sealed off the streets leading to the city hall last Monday, several business establishments closed shops.