PNP to deploy over 17,000 cops nationwide on Martial Law anniversary

MANILA, Philippines — More than 17,000 police personnel will be deployed nationwide on Monday as the Philippines marks the 54th anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said.

Sept. 21 also marks the anniversary of the Trillion Peso March, when various sectors staged mass protests over alleged corruption in government flood-control projects.

The deployment includes 8,553 personnel from the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), 465 from Regional Support Units and 1,000 from the Reactionary Standby Support Force.

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It also includes 1,000 personnel each from the Police Regional Office (PRO) Cordillera Administrative Region and PRO 1 (San Fernando City, La Union).

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The deployment also includes 2,000 personnel each from PRO 3 (Central Luzon) and PRO 4A (Calabarzon), and 1,000 personnel from the Philippine Coast Guard.

“We are ready for the activities on September 21. Our job is to keep people safe while respecting their right to peacefully express themselves,” said PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr.

Nartatez said he expects “every personnel to exercise maximum tolerance, sound judgment, and professionalism.”

The PNP also reminded the public to keep emergency routes and access points clear, avoid actions that could endanger others, and report medical, safety or security concerns to authorities.

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Participants were also urged to keep an eye on children and other vulnerable members of their groups.

“To those joining the activities, express your views peacefully, respect one another, and follow reasonable safety instructions when necessary,” Nartatez said.

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Face-to-face classes in all public and private schools in Manila will be suspended on Monday amid security concerns linked to rallies and other activities.

READ: Manila suspends in-person classes Sept. 21 over Martial Law anniv rally

At 3 p.m., the Kilusang Bayan Kontra Kurakot will hold the Bahain ng Protesta (Flood by Protest) at Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila, calling for deeper investigations into the flood control scam.

At 4:30 p.m., multisectoral group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan will lead a march to Mendiola to renew calls for accountability over corruption.

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At 5 p.m., a candle-lighting ceremony led by The Buhay ang People Power Campaign Network at Bantayog ng mga Bayani in Quezon City will be held to commemorate the anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law. /mcm