8,600 cops, soldiers to secure metropolis

At least 8,600 policemen and soldiers will be deployed to secure Metro Manila against all types of threats during President Arroyo’s 6th State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 24.

"This early, I advice the rally organizers and leaders to apply for a permit which is the key to peaceful and successful mass demonstrations in the metropolis," Metro police chief Director Vidal Querol said.

Querol said the Metro police force would observe the rule of law, specifically Batasang Pambansa 880, which the Supreme Court has declared as "constitutional."

He stressed the policemen and soldiers would respect the right of citizens to express their beliefs, opinions and even indignation against those in authority, but all in accordance with the law.

A total of 8,000 crowd disturbance management (CDM) operatives would be deployed around the Batasang Pambansa complex in Quezon City, where President Arroyo would address a joint session of Congress.

A total of 600 soldiers make up the augmentation force from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

"The policemen and soldiers would be deployed in and around the Batasan and Malacañang, along all routes for traffic, security and escorts of local and foreign diplomats and VIPs," Querol said.

SONA security measures and the fresh set of guidelines of newly-designated Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Deputy Director General Oscar Calderon would be the main agenda when Querol meets with his five district directors and 37 station commanders at a command conference.

Senior Superintendent Felipe Rojas Jr., intelligence chief of the NCRPO, said militant groups and the political opposition are expecting some 50,000 demonstrators for the SONA.

"Judging from their past rallies, we doubt that they can gather such a big crowd. At present, they are finalizing their plans, particularly on funding," Rojas said in an interview.

The Metro police intelligence chief said they would strictly impose the "no rally, no permit" policy of the PNP.

As of yesterday, not a single group has applied for a permit to stage a rally during President Arroyo’s SONA, Rojas said.

They are also monitoring reports that the militant groups were planning a caravan from Central and Southern Luzon to merge with rallyists in a designated place in Metro Manila on July 24.

He said regular members of the communist movement have been tapped to act as marshals of the caravan.