Metro police, mayors behind Arroyo gov’t

The 17,000-strong National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) and the Metro Manila mayors threw their all-out support yesterday behind the Arroyo administration.

NCRPO chief Deputy Director General Reynaldo Velasco visited the five police districts in Metro Manila early yesterday morning and said that not a single soul symphatized with the rebel military officers occupying the Oakwood Plaza in Makati City.

"I conducted a loyalty check among my officers and men and we are one in throwing our support behind the government of President Arroyo," said Velasco in an interview.

Meanwhile, Manila Mayor Lito Atienza, concurrent president of the Metro Manila Mayors League, said that he and his fellow Metro mayors are fully supporting Mrs. Arroyo and deplored the action of the disgruntled soldiers.

"We in Manila are working with the national government to address the pressing problems pressing our country such as poverty. Their actions would not help solve our problems as a nation and would have a grave negative impact on the country’s economy.

According to Velasco, he is in close coordination with the military ground commander handling the Makati crisis. They agreed, he said, that the NCRPO would deploy its men only in crowd control and other support commitments.

Velasco appealed to Metro Manilans to remain calm. "We are on top of the peace and order situation except that small part of Makati City," said Velasco noting that the Arroyo government is doing its best to resolve the issue as soon as possible.

Velasco also ordered the dispersal of Estrada loyalists marching towards several converging points in Metro Manila to support the junior military officers.

"All marchers who failed to show proper permits will be dispersed immediately," he said, adding that they are prepared for any eventuality to prevent the Estrada supporters from getting near the Oakwood Plaza in Makati City to reinforce the mutineers.

Checkpoints at all entry and exit points in Metro Manila were already set-up to prevent the rebel group’s supporters from other parts of the country from sneaking into the metropolis.

Chief Superintendent Marcelino Franco Jr., director of the Northern Police District (NPD), said six-layered checkpoints in northern Metro Manila were erected as of 2 p.m. and not a single contact with the "enemy" was recorded.

"We expect the worst scenario and are ready for any eventuality to rally behind the Arroyo government. We are ready to pull out from our area anytime on orders of superiors in the official chain of command," Franco said.

Meanwhile, Western Police District director Chief Superintendent Pedro Bulaong said that no rallyist or "suspicious-looking" individuals will be allowed near the Palace, the United States Embassy and the oil depots. — With Jerry Botial