PNP to deploy 650 personnel on Friday’s rally in Makati City

By Ronron
February 13, 2008

The Philippine National Police (PNP) will deploy a total of 650 personnel on Friday when opposition, militant and civil society groups gather in Makati City to express support to ZTE-NBN deal scandal witness Rodolfo Noel “Jun” Lozada, Jr.

“We have already organized a civil disturbance management (CDM) team from RSAU (Regional Special Action Unit) and the different contingents from the (five police) districts,” Supt. Rhodel Sermonia, spokesman of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), said Wednesday.

He said each of the five police districts will contribute 100 personnel, while the RSAU will field 150 personnel. They will be armed with shields, knight sticks, whistle and helmets, and will not be allowed firearms.

Sermonia said elements of the Armed Forces National Capital Region Command will be on standby for possible augmentation upon the request of the NCRPO.

For today (Thursday), the police will try to talk with the rally organizers to establish communication lines and ground rules for tomorrow’s (Friday) activity, Sermonia said.

“We are calling on all organizers to make sure that the activity will be orderly. The should also police their ranks from violent infiltrators,” Sermonia said.

PNP chief Gen. Avelino Razon, Jr. said they have yet to receive reports of destabilization plots against the Arroyo administration in the light of Lozada’s testimony and amidst calls for the President’s resignation, as well as of Commission on Higher Education Chairman Romulo Neri and Environment Secretary Lito Atienza.

“We only have this protest actions but our policy there is for maximum tolerance. We will allow those who want to hold demonstration rallies as long as they are peaceful. But we don’t see an indication that it will be a big rally,” Razon said./DMS