AN official of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) said they will not cordon off militants who will stage rallies today in commemoration of the declaration of Martial Law 45 years ago.
Senior Supt. Joel Doria, the CCPO director, said they will only monitor the protesters and deploy the civil disturbance management team to the place where there is an untoward incident.
The police, he said, will exercise maximum tolerance and help manage vehicular traffic.
President Rodrigo Duterte declared a national day of protest today to mark the declaration of Martial Law on Sept. 21, 1972.
Doria said they have enough personnel to secure Cebu City, despite sending officers to Bohol for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meetings.
Meanwhile, Cebu City Councilor Dave Tumulak said the City Government is closely coordinating with the Cebu City Police Office and other law enforcement agencies to ensure a safe and peaceful protest today.
“Even though there is no class and no work today, the PNP, military and Cebu City’s disaster teams will be on high alert status. Rest assured, the Cebuanos will be safe,” said Tumulak.
Tumulak noted that protesters in Cebu are more manageable than those in Manila, perhaps because Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña allows them to freely express their views, as long as they will not violate any law.
A protest rally will be held today, starting at the Fuente Osmeña circle to Gaisano Metro on Colon St. (KAL, Cherizar Maxine Magat, USJ-R Intern)