Over 15k cops to be deployed for 54th Martial Law commemoration

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The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said Saturday that around 15,227 police personnel are expected to be deployed at 11 p.m. on September 19 in preparation for the upcoming 54th Martial Law commemoration.

In an interview with Super Radyo dzBB, NCRPO spokesperson Police Lieutenant Colonel Hazel Asilo said that the full deployment on Saturday evening will be reinforced not only by NCRPO officers but also by police troops from nearby regions.

“Meron po tayo dito sa mga monitored areas natin, 'yung mga significant po gaya ng Ayala Bridge, Mendiola, C.M. Recto sa Maynila, siyempre ‘yung ating People Power Monument, ang EDSA Shrine, gano'n din po sa Luneta ay lalagyan natin,” Asilo said, detailing the police deployment.

(We will have deployments in our monitored areas, significant locations like Ayala Bridge, Mendiola, C.M. Recto in Manila, and of course our People Power Monument, the EDSA Shrine, as well as Luneta.)

Asilo noted that these areas are the primary convergence zones for mobilizations, based on historical events from previous years.

As of Saturday, Asilo said no groups have secured any rally permits yet for Monday's commemoration, but emphasized that they are monitoring online groups who might gather and stage a protest.

“Since wala pong nag-secure ng permit mula po sa mga grupo na posibleng mag-conduct, nagbe-base po tayo… doon po sa information na naga-gather po ng ating intel units,” Asilo said.

(Since no groups likely to conduct protests have secured permits, we are basing our plans on the information gathered by our intelligence units.)

Warrants of arrest on standby

Recalling the disturbances that occurred during last year's Martial Law protest, Asilo confirmed that authorities found the individuals, particularly minors, who caused trouble last year were not members of groups legitimately conducting mobilizations.

In preparation for possible renewed unrest, authorities are coordinating with other agencies and closely monitoring social media posts for any indications of incitement to cause trouble on Monday.

“Bilang paghahanda po, bukod po doon sa ating ginawang koordinasyon sa iba’t ibang agencies po natin nagmo-monitor po tayo sa ating mga social media posts para po sa mga posibleng mobilization nu'ng mga grupo na hindi po usually sumasama sa mga pagtitipon, or ‘yung mga grupo na hindi natin kilala na maaari pong mag-cause ng gulo,” Asilo said.

(As part of our preparation, aside from coordinating with various agencies, we are monitoring social media posts for possible mobilizations by groups that do not usually join assemblies, or unfamiliar groups that might cause trouble.)

She noted that these individuals or groups causing trouble use social media platforms to mobilize, unlike usual groups who officially coordinate with authorities.

Asilo emphasized that they have identified these groups and their leaders, stating that they are ready to serve warrants of arrest if these groups cause trouble again.

“May mga warrants of arrest po tayo na nakabinbin para po dito sa mga leaders nila. Kung kaya din po 'yung ating pagmo-monitor sa araw ng Lunes, September 21, ay nakataas,” Asilo said.

(We have pending warrants of arrest for their leaders. That is why our monitoring on Monday, September 21, is on high alert.)

“Para po kung sakali man po na itong mga leaders na ‘to or mga grupong ito ay muling lumutang… ay agad din pong mase-serve sa kanila ‘yung mga warrants nila,” she added.

(So that just in case these leaders or groups resurface... their warrants can be served to them immediately.)

While no groups have secured rally permits yet, the NCRPO anticipates around six groups to stage protests on Monday who regularly hold demonstrations.

Police personnel deployed at border control points will also monitor closely, according to Asilo, who reminded the public not to feel bad if their vehicles are flagged down for inspection or monitoring. —KG, GMA News