Metro Manila, Philippines – The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday, Feb. 25, vowed to exercise maximum tolerance toward rallyists participating in the 40th anniversary of the People Power Revolution.
Following the events that occurred along Ayala Boulevard and Mendiola during the Sept. 21 protests, PNP Director for Operations Ponce Peñones Jr. said police personnel will be on high alert to ensure peaceful demonstrations.
“Ang binabantayan lang natin dito yung ibang grupo na nag a-agitate para magkaroon ng kaguluhan. Ito yung focus ng deployment ng ating kapulisan, to see to it na hindi sila makagawa ng kahit anong karahasan at mag-agitate doon sa iba pang kasama,” said Peñones.
[Translation: What we are watching out for are other groups that agitate people to cause chaos. This is the focus of our police deployment, to see to it that they will not be able to commit any violence or agitate other rallyists.]
Police will respect freedom of speech and follow PNP Chief Melencio Nartatez’s directive for maximum tolerance, but are ready to enforce the law if violated, said Peñones.
“Ang pakiusap lang natin, huwag na tayong gumawa ng anumang bagay na makapag-violate ng batas at makasasakit ng ibang tao,” Peñones added.
[Translation: We are simply asking everyone not to do anything that would violate the law or cause harm to others.]
As of early Wednesday, the PNP has already deployed 14,900 personnel across Metro Manila, where large gatherings are expected.
