Metro Manila cops ready to secure 35th EDSA Revolution celebration

BY AARON RECUENCO

Maj. Gen. Vicente Danao, Jr., director of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), ordered Tuesday maximum police presence during the celebration of the EDSA People Power Revolution on February 25 amid the continuous threat of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

In a meeting with Metro Manila police commanders, Danao said the intention is to ensure that the minimum health safety protocols would be strictly observed in places of convergence.

“We will maximize police presence and activate security control points to strictly implement minimum health standards and protocols for the 35th Anniversary of EDSA People Power Revolution on February 25,” said Danao.

A number of people are expected to conduct activities to celebrate the EDSA Revolution which toppled the rule of President Ferdinand Marcos in 1986.

Danao said they have long prepared for the activity and noted that policemen are expected to work double in order to protect the people from coronavirus infection.

“Security preparations, coordination and necessary deployments were already set in place as the nation commemorates the unity of Filipino people who have shown the world of the true spirit of a ‘non-violent demonstration’,” said Danao.

“We have to live with the virus. The COVID-19 should not be an excuse for us in performing our tasks but rather a challenge that we have to accept as part of our mandate in protecting and serving our people,” he added.