PNP: 50,000 cops to secure Sept. 21 rallies; AFP to monitor 3 groups

The Philippine National Police (PNP) will be deploying around 50,000 personnel as part of the security and contingency measures for the anti-corruption protest action on Sunday, Sept. 21, that also coincides with the commemoration of the declaration of Martial Law.

- AARON RECUENCO, JOSEPH PEDRAJAS, ARGYLL CYRUS GEDUCOS, and JEL SANTOS

Acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. said the deployment is aimed at ensuring the peaceful and orderly holding of various activities which will be held in at least two major sites in Metro Manila-Luneta in Manila and People Power Monument in Quezon City.

"While we respect the right of every Filipino to peacefully express their views, our foremost duty is to protect lives and property. Our personnel are trained and ready to ensure that the protests remain orderly and safe for everyone," said Nartatez.

The deployment, he said, includes 10,000 uniformed personnel in fixed visibility posts; more than 17,000 on mobile patrol; over 3,000 assisting traffic; more than 9,000 manning checkpoints and border control points; around 6,000 who are ready for crowd management; and over 4,500 in the Reactionary Standby Support Force (RSSF).

He said around 415 drone operators will also be tapped.

"Together, these units form a coordinated effort to keep communities safe while respecting the public's right to peaceful assembly," said Nartatez.

For his part, PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Randulf T. Tuaño said that their goal is to secure all the people in the rallies while ensuring that normal routines for the rest of the people will not be affected.

"We are committed to a visible and strategic police presence across the country. Our deployment is designed to safeguard public safety while allowing citizens to exercise their right to peacefully assemble.