1,500 riot cops ready for FPJ supporters

Manila police yesterday mobilized some 1,500 fully trained crowd dispersal policemen in anticipation of anti-government rallies being planned by supporters of presidential hopeful Fernando Poe Jr. if ever he is disqualified from running by the Supreme Court.

Western Police District (WPD) director Chief Superintendent Pedro Bulaong said majority of the contingent shall be deployed to the Chino Roces bridge and the Supreme Court.

He, however, ordered his men to observe maximum tolerance dealing with the rallyists.

"We respect their right to free expression, but we cannot sacrifice the peace and order situation in the city in case the rallyists get out of control," Bulaong said during the presentation of the police contingent at the Rizal Park yesterday morning.

Newspapers had earlier quoted Poe as telling a huge crowd during a campaign sortie in Bataan last week that his critics will not "see the light of day" if they continue to press for his disqualification.

Bulaong shot back at Poe’s supporters by saying, "let us see who will not see the light of day."

The WPD chief said the police has an obligation to protect the citizenry against trouble makers, adding "chaos is not allowed under a civilized society."

For his part, WPD spokesman Gerry Agunod said the battle-ready contingent shall also be deployed in repressive patrols on vital government installations especially the Pandacan oil depot.

The Supreme Court is expected to announce its decision on the citizenship issue of Poe anytime this week. – Nestor Etolle