NCRPO orders pullout of anti-riot cops in Makati
The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) has ordered the pullout of a number of anti-riot policemen deployed at the Makati City Hall.
Operations at the city hall resumed after suspended Mayor Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay stepped down from office on Wednesday.
Vice Mayor Romulo “Kid” Peña Jr. took over the helm of the local government as acting mayor.
“People are moving in and out of the city hall to transact their business,” NCRPO chief Director Carmelo Valmoria said yesterday.
“The situation in the area returned to normal after the protesters left,” he added.
Last Tuesday, tension erupted as representatives from the Department of the Interior and Local Government served Binay’s second suspension order issued by the Office of the Ombudsman.
At least eight people were hurt in the scuffle when Binay supporters threw monobloc chairs at the police.
Binay decided to temporarily leave his post after failing to get a temporary restraining order from the Court of Appeals.
Valmoria said because of the peaceful situation, the Crowd Disturbance Management contingent of the Southern Police District was pulled out from the city hall.
The police officers were transferred to the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City for preparations for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in November.
Valmoria said only the contingent from the NCRPO’s Regional Public Safety Battalion (RPSB) remained at the Makati City Hall to maintain peace and order.
He added the Makati City police was in charge of security at the city hall while the policemen from the RSPB were posted outside the building.