PNP on alert for protest rallies

The Philippine National Police (PNP) placed its troops on full alert yesterday in a bid to head off any disturbance that may arise from the continued failure of Congress to proclaim the winner in the May 10 presidential elections.

PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Joel Goltiao said all leaves and days-off of police personnel in Metro Manila, Southern Tagalog and Central Luzon, as well as members of the Special Action Force, had been canceled to ensure their availability for anti-riot duties.

"No PNP personnel from Regions 3, 4A and the National Capital Region and the Special Action Force are being allowed to have their days off," he said.

Goltiao said the full alert status will be maintained until the winners in the Congressional canvass are proclaimed.

"Full alert status in the other regions will prevail until after the proclamation of the winner in the presidential and vice presidential race," he said.

Goltiao said he expects the current political tension to simmer down after the proclamation.

At Camp Crame, PNP chief Director General Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. ordered all police regional offices, especially in Southern Tagalog and Central Luzon, to closely monitor any unauthorized troop movements within their jurisdiction.

Ebdane’s directive stemmed from reports Thursday night of troop movements in Nueva Ecija, Bulacan and Bicol.

"Monitor every troop movement within your area of jurisdiction and disregard any fake orders by ensuing the chain of command is properly observed," the directive said.

Unconfirmed rumors have circulated in recent days on plans of some ranking military officers to stage a power grab on July 1.

Malacañang has dismissed the rumors as mere "coffee shop talks."

Ebdane also directed his field commanders to monitor the activities of cause-oriented groups and other civilian organizations following intelligence reports on planned anti-government rallies in Metro Manila.

Sources said groups opposed to the government had already secured the financing for a large anti-government rally to be participated in, not just by the Luzon-based supporters of Fernando Poe Jr, but by left-leaning groups as well.