By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan
MANILA – The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) will be on full alert starting Feb. 21 to maintain peace and security ahead of the upcoming Trillion Peso March.
In a press briefing in Camp Crame Wednesday, NCRPO spokesperson Maj. Hazel Asilo said the alert level will be raised despite the absence of any threats monitored.
“Para sa mga threats, wala po tayong namo-monitor na mga banta pero patuloy naman ‘yung ginagawa natin na pakikipag-ugnayan sa ating other intel agencies para ma-sure natin na lagi tayong nakahanda in case meron mga eventualities (As for threats, we have not monitored any, but we continue to coordinate with our other intel agencies to ensure that we are always prepared in case there are eventualities),” Asilo said.
To further strengthen coordination, the NCRPO will hold a coordination conference in line with the processing of permits and the finalization of operational plans with the march’s organizers.
Asilo said based on the approved permit, the Trillion Peso March will be from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Feb. 25 with a maximum of 20,000 attendees.
She said that aside from the People Power Monument in EDSA, the police will also be guarding other areas in Metro Manila such as Ayala Bridge and Mendiola.
As part of the Enhanced Managing Police Operations (EMPO) under the PNP Focused Agenda, the deployment of personnel will be anchored on strong district coverage, led by Quezon City Police District (1,576), Manila Police District (1,898); Southern Police District (2,322); Northern Police District (1,332); and Eastern Police District (879).
These forces will be reinforced by personnel from the Regional Headquarters (850), Regional Mobile Force Battalion (816) and Special Action Force (77).
Support units will also be mobilized to ensure full operational readiness, including from Police Regional Office-Central Luzon) and 4A (MIMAROPA), with 1,000 cops each region.
This comprehensive security coverage is expected to ensure effective crowd management, traffic control, emergency response and public safety monitoring throughout the scheduled events. (PNA)
