The Philippine National Police has placed its forces on the highest alert status to secure the three-day simultaneous prayer rallies led by the Iglesia Ni Cristo in Metro Manila beginning today.
Armed Forces chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner, for his part, urged the military to shun political noise.
“Let’s not focus on the political noise and keep our focus on our jobs,” Brawner said during the leadership change at the Eastern Mindanao Command in Davao City yesterday.
“With full conviction, I assure the public that the armed forces will not engage in any action that violates the Constitution. Not today, not tomorrow, and certainly not under mywatch,” the military chief said in a separate statement.
The Palace, for its part, expressed confidence that the INC can discern “who is lying” amid the allegations of former party-list lawmaker Zaldy Co against the Marcos administration, which came two days before today’s prayer rally.
“I know that INC members are smart, pious, and patriotic. So, they know who is lying and who is truly working for the country,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said.
PNP acting chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the alert status took effect at 5 p.m. Friday to ensure full implementation of the security plan.
“With the expected influx of people, we activated a comprehensive security plan covering ground operations, traffic management, intelligence monitoring, emergency response, and maritime patrols. All teams are ready to move and respond as needed,” Nartatez said.
A total of 16,433 police officers and support units will be deployed to two major rally sites: Rizal Park in Manila, where INC will hold its “Rally for Transparency and a Better Democracy,” and the EDSA People Power Monument in Quezon City, where the United People’s Initiative will stage its gathering from Nov. 16 to 18.
The Police Regional Office – 3 (Central Luzon) will augment NCR security with more than 2,200 police personnel for the INC activity.
Brawner also called on organizers and participants to maintain the peaceful nature of the prayer rallies.
“Protecting the integrity of these assemblies is a shared responsibility,” he said.
The Philippine Army, in a separate statement, said: “We firmly reject lawless and unconstitutional actions that will undermine our national security and stability.”
The Philippine Navy likewise committed its support for peaceful and lawful public gatherings.
“The Philippine Navy carries out its mission with honor, discipline, and full respect for civilian authority and acts within the bounds of the Constitution, always, without compromise,” Navy chief Jose Ma. Ambrosio Ezpeleta said.
