Full alert on Labor Day

The National Capital Region Police Office will to deploy 5,000 anti-riot officers on Labor Day as it goes on full alert to prevent massive anti-government street protests from turning violent, officials said yesterday.

Metro police chief Director Vidal Querol said the officers will also be backed by a contingent from the military "to maintain peace and order" on the streets.

The 5,000-strong Task Force Manila Shield will be composed of elite and anti-riot police units from the five police districts, the Regional Special Action Unit (RSAU), Light Reaction Unit (LRU), Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) and civil disturbance management contingents from Police Regional Offices 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, and an augmentation force from the Armed Forces of the Philippines-National Capital Region Command.

In his directive to the five district directors, Querol said he will personally direct and supervise the operation of five task groups, namely: Anti-Criminality, Antabay, Heartland, Rimland and Reserve.

Units under Task Force Manila Shield will handle crowd dispersal, anti-criminality, traffic direction, and other police related activities.

Querol said members of the task force underwent rigorous training and a series of seminars on police operational procedures, particularly on matters and issues on mass protest actions, capped by a CDM competition held at the Quern Grandstand over the weekend.

"We will exert all our effort in order to pre-empt and contain unlawful acts during the observance of Labor Day and the fifth year anniversary of the so-called Malacañang siege," Querol said.

He was referring to a failed siege of the presidential palace by supporters of former President Joseph Estrada, who was ousted in a military-backed popular revolt in 2001 and replaced by incumbent Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Mrs. Arroyo called in the military to crush what she called a rebellion, and the resulting violence left four protesters dead and dozens wounded.

Estrada, who maintains he was illegally ousted, is on trial for massive corruption. But his successor has also become increasingly unpopular and there have been widespread calls and street protests for her to quit.

Police said they were expecting massive rallies to erupt around Manila on May 1, after the Supreme Court on Tuesday clipped Mrs. Arroyo’s police powers to prevent street protests.

Querol reiterated that the Philippine National Police (PNP) will respect the rights or freedom of speech and assembly of those groups who will conduct protest rallies as long as it is within the ambit of the laws.

"As early as now, we are encouraging all groups with intentions to hold protest rallies on May 1 to file their applications with the local chief executives so preparations, advisories and coordination can be made," he said.

Manila’s Armour activated

The Manila Police District (MPD) is all set to impose its security and contingency plan to contain the possible violent street demonstrations in the city on May 1, the fifth anniversary of the Malacañang siege.

MPD director Chief Superintendent Pedro Bulaong has ordered the activation of "Manila’s Armour" to address the possible threat of mob rule and civil disobedience by disgruntled militant groups, as well as the implementation of security measures to vital government and private installations.

Bulaong said the activation of Manila’s Armour complements the Task Force Manila Shield of the NCRPO to address the threat of disturbances in Metro Manila.

Implementors of Manila’s Armour are advised to practice maximum tolerance to avoid physical confrontation with the rallyists.

Bulaong, however, said the police will still impose the "no permit, no rally" policy under Batas Pambansa 880, the law that prohibits illegal assembly.

The MPD chief also appeals to demonstrators to secure proper permits and to police their rank in order to prevent misunderstanding between the law enforcers and the rallyists.

The Manila police’s security operation is concentrated in areas around Mendiola and Chino Roces bridge near Malacañang, and the streets around the Palace such as the San Rafael corner Legarda, Arlegui corner Nepomuceno, Gen. Solano, Recto Avenue and the Us Embassy and the Pandacan oil depot.

Bulaong said the MPD will deploy a considerable number of policemen in strategic areas where some 20,000 rallyists are expected to converge for their programs in celebration of Labor Day on Monday.

"To further strengthen the security of public places and other vital facilities, government and private installations, there is an urgent need to organize a dedicated police force to spearhead the conduct of counter measures to thwart any attempt to topple the legitimate government by means of mass actions and to prevent mob rule," Bulaong said.

As early as Sunday, the MPD shall put in place Task Group West to secure the city’s vital installations.

Yesterday, some 20 militant women belonging to Partido Pangmasa were dispersed when they tried to stage a rally near the gate of the Department of Justice in Padre Faura, Ermita.

Superintendent Danilo Estapon, chief of the Ermita police station, negotiated with the rallysist for their peaceful dispersal. – With Nestor Etolle