NCRPO to use CCTV cameras for Makati rally

MANILA, Philippines – The National Capital Regional Police Office (NCRPO) will use closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras to record the protest rally staged by the opposition and various groups against Charter change in Makati City today.

Metro police director Chief Superintendent Roberto Rosales said the 15,000- strong NCRPO remains on full alert as 5,000 of its anti-riot contingent will be deployed not only in Makati City but also in other traditional rally sites such as the periphery of Malacañang, the US embassy, and the Edsa Shrine.

Rosales said the CCTV cameras were already installed in strategic areas of the Makati commercial district to monitor traffic and prevent crime.

“We will be covering this (rally) with video footage including CCTVs, so we can record events before and during the conduct of the rally,” said Rosales, as he assured rally organizers that the footage would only be used for future reference.

Renato Reyes, secretary general of the militant group Bayan, said they are not comfortable with the CCTV idea because “it is like spying.”

He expressed fears that the footage would be used to identify the rally leaders or keep track of their organizers, but later said the CCTV cameras would not record anything new.

“We are neither hiding nor ashamed of anything. They can watch us all they want,” Reyes said.

Rosales designated Southern Police District (SPD) director Chief Superintendent Jaime Calungsud as overall commander of the at least 800 anti-riot cops securing the Makati City rally.

The rally organizers expect some 20,000 participants to troop to Ayala Avenue to attend the rally, which was granted a permit by Mayor Jejomar Binay from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Traffic in Makati City will be rerouted at noon today.

During a dialogue Monday, Calungsud warned rally leaders that he would not hesitate to disperse them if their protest rally goes beyond 8 p.m.

Manila Police District officer-in-charge Chief Superintendent Rodolfo Magtibay said they will strictly enforce the government’s “no permit, no rally” policy to make sure that no protesters march to the Chino Roces bridge in Mendiola, the gateway to Malacañang Palace.

Magtibay said he may allow the marchers to gather at a certain area in Mendiola provided they “police their ranks and their members should not resort to vandalism or destruction of property.”

Meanwhile, Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board chairman Alberto Suansing said they will apprehend public and private vehicles ferrying people to the rally site.

He said owners of private vehicles – particularly cargo trucks – loaded with people could be charged with operating without a franchise, which carries a fine of P7,000.

Suansing said operators of public utility vehicles “must have a special permit to operate beyond their franchise area,” and violators face penalties ranging from fines to having their franchise revoked. – With Rhodina Villanueva, Nestor Etolle, Perseus Echeminada, Rainier Allan Ronda