WPD reactivates ‘Manila Shield’

The Western Police District (WPD) has remained on full alert as it braces for more mass actions following the call of Susan Roces, widow of the late presidential contender Fernando Poe Jr., for the resignation of President Arroyo.

"Task Force Manila Shield" was reactivated yesterday to prevent various groups seeking the ouster of President Arroyo from marching to Mendiola, the entrance to Malacañang Palace.

Roces made the call during a press conference at the Club Filipino in Greenhills, San Juan yesterday, in reaction to the admission of Mrs. Arroyo that she was the woman’s voice in the controversial wiretapped phone conversation with an official of the Commission on Elections.

A Manila police official, who requesting anonymity, said Roces could become a rallying figure for people to join the mass actions of opposition and anti-government groups.

WPD director Chief Superintendent Pedro Bulaong said the police will continue to enforce the "no permit, no rally" policy of the government.

The WPD remains on full alert in strategic areas around Malacañang in anticipation of anti-government rallies, according to Bulaong.

"We are not letting our guard down. We remain on full alert and shall secure the everyday peaceful activities of the people in Manila," Bulaong told The STAR.

Anti-riot policemen were deployed yesterday along the stretch of España leading to Mendiola, in anticipation of rallies to be staged.

Task Force Manila Shield includes the deployment of at least 60 elite Manila policemen, aside from the Civil Disturbance Management (CDM) team, tasked to guard vital strategic entrances to the Palace.

The secured areas are the Chino Roces bridge in Mendiola, Nicanor Reyes and Recto streets in Santa Cruz and the Paz Guanzon street in Pandacan. Plainclothes policemen or sekretas were also deployed to these areas.

According to Bulaong, no rally groups shall be allowed within the Mendiola area.

"Mendiola shall be off limits to rallyists," he said. "We are ready for these rallies. We guarantee maximum tolerance, provided they follow the rule of law. The police shall not allow anarchy to reign in the streets."