THE National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) has tightened security in the vicinity of its headquarters in Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City ahead of the promulgation of judgment on the Maguindanao massacre case.
Brigadier General Debold Sinas, NCRPO acting director, said on Friday, December 5, that ingress to and egress from the camp will be controlled to ensure no untoward incidents related to the promulgation scheduled for December 19 at the Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) annex in Camp Bagong Diwa.
At least 240 members of the Regional Mobile Force Battallion in full battle gear were deployed in the camp, particularly at the entrance and exit points.
“Actually kahapon nagpalit na kami ng details ng mga gwardiya nilagay na naming ang mobile force namin kasi ang build up nyan kung meron mangyayari ngayon palang naguumpisa na yan so sa ngayon pa lang naka-ready na kami. Tinignan na namin likod harap at naglagay na kami ng counter measure,” said Sinas.
“Iniikutan na rin ang mga barangays lalo na ‘yung mga bahay sa tabi ng gates kasi diba may bakod yun so may mga bahay na katabi so pati yon sinusurvey na at inaalam na sino na mga yon so hindi natin alam mamaya may mga butas nap ala yon. So far wala naming mga violations,” he added.
Sinas said the civil disturbance unit has been alerted to possible protest actions during their said event.
The Quezon City Police District has already assured the security of RTC Branch 221 Judge Jocelyn Solis Reyes and the lawyers involved in the case.
The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology will impose a lockdown in the detention facility inside the said camp.
“Nakausap na namin ang warden sabi naming mag-lock down muna ng bisita days before yung promulgation na kung pwede 'wag muna sila tumanggap ng dalaw in preparations para masigurado tayo na walang incident na mangyare sa 19,” he said.
A total of 58 people, including media personnel, were killed on November 23, 2009 in what is now known as the Maguindanao massacre.
The victims were part of a convoy with the wife of then Buluan vice mayor Esmael Mangudadatu when they were killed in Ampatuan town.
Mangudadatu was on his way to file his certificate of candidacy against Datu Unsay mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr., son of then incumbent Maguindanao governor Andal Ampatuan Sr., for the gubernatorial post.
The Ampatuans were among the 101 suspects arrested. Ampatuan Sr. later died in detention. (SunStar Philippines)