Over 16,000 police officers will be deployed to secure the major sites of the three-day “prayer rallies” in Quezon City and Manila starting on Nov. 16, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said on Wednesday, Nov. 12.
NCRPO spokesperson Police Maj. Hazel Asilo said 8,541 of the policemen will come from Metro Manila while almost 8,000 are augmentation forces from nearby regions like Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) and Central Luzon.
“From November 16 to 18, we will be deploying 16,433 personnel. Aside from the Quirino Grandstand, there will also be a rally at the People Power Monument and at the EDSA Shrine. So INC (Iglesia Ni Cristo) will be at the Quirino Grandstand while the UPI (United Peoples Initiative) will be at the EDSA People Power Monument,” said Asilo in a press briefing at Camp Crame in Quezon City.
Asilo said the number of police deployment will also cover other areas where lightning rallies are expected to be held.
During the Sept. 21 anti-corruption rally, the violent protest actions occurred at the Ayala Bridge and at Mendiola in Manila. The main rally sites during that time were Luneta and People Power Monument.
NCRPO director Maj. Gen. Anthony A. Aberin earlier ordered a comprehensive security preparation for the two rally sites to help ensure the safety of those who would attend.
The security measures, he said, will cover all the converging points and all the other areas where lightning rallies may be held. (Aaron Recuenco)
