Metro Manila PNP to raise alert on May 1

By Ronron
April 24, 2007

The Philippine National Police (PNP) in Metro Manila will raise its alert level on May 1st in response to planned mass protest actions of militant and cause-oriented groups.

Director Wilfredo Garcia, PNP Deputy Chief for Operations, said during the weekly media forum at Camp Crame, Quezon City on Tuesday morning that the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) will be placed either on heightened or red alert on Labor Day.

“PNP Chief Gen. Oscar Calderon already issued a Letter of Instruction for the May 1 preparations because traditionally, militant groups conduct rallies on that day… So, we will ask the clearance of Chief PNP for the raising of the alert level,” Garcia said.

Heightened Alert is the second of three alert levels, which mandates the physical presence of 50 percent of the police force. Full or Red Alert is the highest level, which requires the presence of all police personnel.

Garcia, however, was quick to say that there is no “credible and confirmed threat” of terrorism on May 1st.

“But we always prepare for any possibilities,” he said.

Asked if military troops will be requested for deployment in the metropolis on said day, Garcia said: “Traditionally, we request the Civil Disturbance Management (CDM) of the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) to be on standby, as well as augmentation troops from the nearby PNP regional commands.”

Militant groups traditionally take the streets on Labor Day to air their grievances against the government, especially on labor issues.

But on May 1, 2001, the celebration was marred by violence coming from agitated supporters of ousted President Joseph Estrada, who planned to storm Malacanang Palace.

The same day last year was similarly tense after authorities exposed an alleged plot of the political opposition, the communist movement and some rightists to gather huge crowd on that day and cause the ouster of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo over allegations she cheated in the 2004 elections./DMS