THE Philippine National Police (PNP) will deploy 8,500 policemen on February 25, 2024 amid the celebration of the 38th anniversary of the Edsa People Power Revolution in Metro Manila and the conduct of rallies in Cebu in relation to the push for constitutional amendment.
In an interview with reporters, PNP Chief Benjamin Acorda Jr. said 6,000 cops will be fielded in Metro Manila and 2,500 in Cebu during the said events.
“Of course, this number will adjust depending on how the police report will come in,” he said.
Acorda said they are yet to monitor any threat against the events, which are expected to draw a large crowd.
“Nakikiusap ako na in all these rallies ay maging mahinahon lang lagi tayo. We will be exercising maximum tolerance pero sana ay wala namang mangugulo,” he added.
Former President Rodrigo Duterte is expected to attend the Cebu event to oppose the campaign to amend the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines, which was held first in Davao City last Jan. 28.
The Edsa People Power Revolution was the four-day peaceful revolt in 1986 that ended the 20-year rule of Ferdinand Marcos Sr., father and namesake of the Philippines’ current president, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
The 1973 Constitution was adopted after the elder Marcos declared Martial Law in 1972, supplanting the 1935 Constitution.
After Marcos’ ouster, the 1987 Constitution restored the presidential system of government and a bicameral Congress, the ban on presidential reelection, and civilian authority over the military. / (TPM/SunStar Philippines, CTL)