Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 28) — A few days before the inauguration of President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., the Philippine National Police on Tuesday assured the public that they will be exercising maximum tolerance for those planning to hold protest actions.
In a press briefing attended by the presidential inauguration subcommittee on security, traffic, and communications, Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año said rallyists can hold their actions at designated freedom parks.
“Ang particular na minomonitor natin doon ay more on trying to embarrass the president while ongoing ang oath taking at inauguration. This could be in various platforms,” he said. “Pwede sa mga nagrarally, baka mag-attempt sila magsunog ng effigy. Para naman sa online and website platform… kaya nga kasama natin ang DICT (Department of Information and Communications Technology) dito.”
[Translation: We are particularly monitoring those who will try to embarrass the president while the inauguration is ongoing. This could be in various platforms. Rallyists may attempt to burn effigies. For online platforms, we have partnered with DICT for that.]
There will be police forces augmented at the freedom parks, including Liwasang Bonifacio, Plaza Dilao, Plaza Miranda, and Plaza Moriones, to assure a peaceful assembly, the subcommittee said.
According to Año, they want to avoid any disturbances especially during the inaugural ceremony.
Meanwhile, the National Capital Regional Police Office (NCRPO) said they will have mobile jails set up around the National Museum for any uncontrollable individuals on inauguration day.
“Around the area of the National Museum, may mga ilalagay tayong mga bus ng BJMP (Bureau of Jail Management and Penology). If ever the case arises, andon na yung bus ng BJMP, doon po natin ilalagay ang mga unruly if may mangyari nga na ganon,” NCRPO Chief PMGen. Felipe Natividad said.
[Translation: We will set up buses from BJMP around the National Museum in case there will be unruly individuals.]
Marcos’ inauguration on June 30 will start past 10 a. m. on Thursday, Año said, and will last for around two hours. The incoming president is expected to have his oath taken at exactly 12 noon as reflected in the Constitution.
As of Tuesday, the government assured that they have not detected any threats leading up to the inauguration.
