Following President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s call for a safe and peaceful expression of public sentiment, the Philippine National Police (PNP) is deploying over 50,000 personnel nationwide to maintain peace and order in the upcoming September 21 protests.
The massive deployment is designed to protect both participants and the general public while ensuring that daily life continues smoothly in affected areas.
“While we respect the right of every Filipino to peacefully express their views, our foremost duty is to protect lives and property. Our personnel are trained and ready to ensure that the protests remain orderly and safe for everyone,” said Acting PNP Chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr.
Specifically, the deployment will include nearly 10,000 officers in fixed visibility posts; more than 17,000 on mobile patrol; over 3,000 assisting traffic; more than 9,000 manning checkpoints and border control points; nearly 6,000 for crowd management; over 4,500 in the Reactionary Standby Support Force (RSSF); and 415 drone operators.
Together, these units form a coordinated effort to keep communities safe while respecting the public’s right to peaceful assembly, according to the PNP.
PNP spokesperson Brigadier Gen. Randulf Tuaño, PNP Spokesperson and Chief of the Public Information Office, added,
“We are committed to a visible and strategic police presence across the country. Our deployment is designed to safeguard public safety while allowing citizens to exercise their right to peacefully assemble,” said PNP Public Information Office chief and spokesperson Brigadier Gen. Randulf Tuaño.
“Every team and unit is ready to respond to ensure a secure environment without unnecessary disruptions,” he added.
The PNP appeals to all participants to exercise their right to peaceful assembly responsibly and encourages the public to follow traffic advisories and police instructions during the event.
