Cops ready for Aquino inaugural

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine National Police (PNP) has finalized the security and public safety plan for the inaugural ceremony of Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III as the 15th Philippine president on June 30, an event that thousands are expected to attend, an official said yesterday.

The center of activity will be at the Quirino Grandstand, where Aquino will take his oath of office before Supreme Court Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales.

PNP chief Director General Jesus Verzosa has approved an elaborate security and public safety plan in and around the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park.

Verzosa said the PNP has issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) declaring the airspace over the grandstand as a no-fly zone for the duration of the inaugural ceremony, except for television helicopters that were given special permission to take aerial footage.

The PNP will also issue a similar notice to Mariners to prohibit seacraft from coming too near the shoreline in the vicinity of the grandstand and the Ocean Park area.

“The presidential inaugural is not only a milestone in Philippine history, but more importantly, it’s a symbol of the triumph of democracy through the smooth transition of government authority to the incoming administration by way of honest, orderly and peaceful elections,” Verzosa told PNP unit commanders involved in the security operations for the presidential inaugural.

The PNP Task Force “Panunumpa,” headed by Deputy Director General Jefferson Soriano, held a final coordinating conference at the PNP headquarters with the national organizing committee and other agencies involved in the inaugural.

5,500 cops deployed for inaugural

Metro Manila police chief Director Roberto Rosales said the entire National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) will be on full alert to provide security at all venues where inaugural ceremonies and related activities will be held.

The NCRPO will deploy at least 5,500 personnel for the inauguration, and install closed-circuit television cameras at the grandstand and the Quezon City Memorial Circle, where Aquino’s supporters are scheduled to gather to celebrate his presidency.

Verzosa also approved the deployment of augmentation forces from Central Luzon and Calabarzon to beef up the NCRPO’s security measures.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines has placed a battalion – around 500 soldiers – on standby for the inaugural, “in case the PNP will need our services,” AFP spokesman Lt. Col. Arnulfo Burgos Jr. said.

He added that “there is no perceived threat” to the inauguration.

The Manila Police District will strictly implement a traffic re-routing plan and parking scheme in areas surrounding the grandstand.

MPD director Chief Superintendent Rodolfo Magtibay said the stretch of Roxas Boulevard from Quirino Avenue to Anda Circle, as well as P. Burgos and T.M. Kalaw streets will be closed to vehicular traffic effective 7 a.m. on June 30.

At the Quezon City Memorial Circle, the PNP will field security personnel to ensure public order and safety as thousands are expected to attend the President Aquino’s victory party starting at 4 p.m.

Quezon City Police District director Chief Superintendent Benjardi Mantele said the entire stretch of Elliptical Road will remain open to vehicular traffic but vehicle access to the Quezon Memorial Circle will be limited.

Mantele said intoxicated persons or those under the influence of alcohol will be denied entry to the venue.

PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Leonardo A Espina said the PNP will put up police assistance centers at the Quirino Grandstand and Quezon City Memorial Circle. – With Non Alquitran, Jerry Botial, Alexis Romero