PNP bares plot for violent rally

The Philippine National Police (PNP) urged yesterday students to refrain from joining protest actions slated in today’s anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law as it accused the communist rebels of planning to carry out violent demonstrations in key urban areas, especially Metro Manila.

A document from the PNP discusses the alleged plan of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) under Oplan Aklasan.

The Communist Terrorist Groups (CTGs), together with other sectors in their grand alliance, will organize and mobilize the militants, the labor, and the student sectors through the “Oplan Aklasan” mass walkouts from schools to advance the ‘Oust Duterte’ campaign,” the document read.

“The activity is reportedly to launch a massive rally and violent demonstrations in critical strategic areas in Metro Manila in order to encourage the public to lose support to the present government,” it added.

Chief Supt. Benigno Durana, PNP spokesman, confirmed that they have been receiving reports about the threat from the communist rebels to embarrass President Duterte.

“They will latch on to various political and economic issues already being addressed by the government,” said Durana.

While they are prepared to address the issue, Durana said that they are bothered by the reports of the mobilization of students in anti-Duterte rallies of the communist rebels.

This, as he mentioned the alleged history of the communist rebels of infiltrating protest actions and instigate the rallyists to clash with the police.

“We assume that they will always try to create chaos abd disturbance and sometimes violence. That’s why we are appealing to students to refrain from joining protest rallies for their own safety,” said Durana.

He said they have been receiving reports of continuous move to encourage students in various schools especially in Metro Manila to join.

“We cannot discount the fact that some groups that do not have good interest on the welfare of the people may try to create chaos and incite violence in that legitimate democratic exercise,” said Durana.

Protest organizers earlier vowed to mobilize 50,000 rallyists on President Marcos Martial Law declaration anniversary.

The leadership of the National Capital Region earlier initiated a dialogue with protest organizers to ensure a peaceful conduct of the rallies.

4,000 COPS

As part of the security measures, Durana said they will be deploying 4,000 policemen in various parts of Metro Manila particularly the usual converging points of the protesters such as Mendiola and Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila, and Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City.

“While we may not agree with these minority’s sentiments, we will make sure they would be able to fully and freely exercise their constitutional rights to freedom of assembly and expression” said Durana.

“As a preemptive move in response to the situation, the PNP is fielding a 4,000-strong Civil Disturbance Management (CDM) contingent that will ensure order and rule of law in tomorrow’s mass actions,” he added.

Another 1,000-strong reserve force, he said, will be on standby at the National Headquarters for any eventuality.

WARNING

Durana said the CDM units are under strict orders to observe maximum tolerance, observe and protect human rights and adhere to prescribed rules of engagement.

“Although the right to peaceably assemble will be upheld and respected, safety and convenience of the general public, and security of public property and installations will be the paramount concern that will be safeguarded at all times,” he said.

He stressed that to root for and help government fail or incite others to bring it down ‘are not only violations of the Revised Penal Code but also acts of rebellion against what God has established’.

OUSTER

Earlier, President Duterte himself said that there are moves to oust him on or before October this year.

He made the revelation amid the alleged defiance of the military to arrest his critic Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, after he revoked the amnesty given by the Aquino administration.

During a televised interview, Duterte even dared the military to side with Trillanes to oust him. The President also revealed that Trillanes’s groups is conniving with the communist rebels to oust him.

The allegation was denied by Trillanes and the members of the groups critical to the Duterte administration.