Thursday, May 01, 2008 Police on full alert for Labor Day protests
THE 125,000-strong Philippine National Police (PNP) went on nationwide heightened alert on Wednesday morning in time for the anticipated Labor Day demonstrations.
PNP officials said this operational readiness condition will ensure that 50 percent of police units, personnel and resources will be available for peace and order, and public safety operations to ensure the orderly and uneventful celebration of the Labor Day holiday.
PNP Chief Avelino Razon Jr. instructed all police regional directors and directors of PNP national support units to conduct inspection on units, personnel and equipment, particularly those that will be deployed to provide security in projected mass actions.
"The PNP joins the entire nation in paying tribute to the Filipino labor force for providing the muscle to move the country forward. It is our duty as police officers to make this day peaceful and significant," said Razon.
In view of mass actions that are historically associated with the celebration of Labor Day, Razon directed all police unit commanders to extend utmost assistance to labor groups that will be holding public assemblies.
PNP spokesman Nicanor Bartolome said police commanders have been given instructions to provide appropriate police security to public assembly venues to maintain order and prevent criminal and lawless elements from taking advantage of the activities.
Likewise, police commanders may fully upgrade the alert status depending on the situation in their areas of responsibility.
"As workers in government, we too are entitled to commemorate the significance of Labor Day. However, as law enforcers, duty calls that we must report for work on that day to preclude any threat of violence and disorder on this otherwise peaceful and meaningful celebration of international Labor Day," Bartolome said.
"Our job is not to prevent people from holding public assemblies, but to enforce the law and remind participants of their responsibilities when holding public assemblies," he explained.
He cited Batas Pambansa (BP) 880 that "spells out very clearly the responsibilities of citizens in exercising the right peaceably to assemble, as well as the duty of the police to enforce the law and maintain order."
Bartolome emphasized that all law enforcement functions in accordance with BP 880 are governed by rules and regulations prescribed in the Police Operational Procedures.
"The long and short of it, as far as public assemblies are concerned, is respect for the rule of law, specifically BP 880," Bartolome said. (VR/Sunnex)
