Martial law anniversary: 4,000 cops to be deployed

The Philippine National Police will deploy at least 4,000 police officers to secure rallies that will be held to mark the 46th anniversary of the declaration of martial law by the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos on Friday, officials said yesterday.

Like in past protest rallies, the anti-riot police officers will be armed only with batons and truncheons, said Director Guillermo Eleazar, chief of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO). They will not carry their service firearms.

“We would be at least 50 meters away from the rallyists. As long as they are not violating any law, we would allow them to conduct their protest rally as long as they want,” Eleazar said in an interview.

Chief Superintendent Rolando Anduyan, director of the Manila Police District, was designated as ground commander of the anti- riot police officers.

Eleazar met with Teddy Casiño and other leaders of militant groups at the Intramuros Golf Course clubhouse to set ground rules for the rally.

“By dialoguing with the protest rally leaders, we were able to establish a warm relationship and a communication line that would prevent violence from igniting,” Eleazar said.

Casiño and rally leaders vowed to police their ranks and prevent “outsiders” from provoking them into a violent confrontation with anti-riot police officers.

As agreed upon, protesters will gather at the Quirino Grandstand at around 4 p.m. on Friday.

The rally leaders said they would erect a stage at the grandstand and would stay up to 7 p.m. but Eleazar said he would allow them to stay “as long as they want” so long as the assembly remains peaceful.

The police officials recommended that groups supporting President Duterte assemble at Burnham Green, the large open space in front of the grandstand.