MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine National Police on Wednesday called on groups that would be staging protest actions tomorrow, Labor Day, to guard their own ranks against infiltrators who may create trouble.
"We urge the organizers of these mass actions to guard their own ranks against infiltrators and saboteurs who may take advantage of the situation.
"We expect the leaders of these activities to coordinate closely and keep the lines of communication open with police authorities on the ground to ensure the peaceful and orderly outcome of their activities," PNP publicist Chief Superintendent Theodore Reuben Sindac said in a statement.
He said that anti-riot policemen who will be deployed to maintain peace and order during the mass actions will be observing maximum tolerance.
"We assure that there will be no confrontation, no dispersal, and no use of compelling force if only public assemblies are held in accordance with law, and all actions are well within legal bounds," Sindac said.
He said that they will also be deploying police videographers to document and identify those trouble makers during the protest actions.
"These documentation aims to identify the trouble-makers and anarchists, and whatever incriminating scenes captured on tape may be used as evidence to support investigation and prosecution of cases in court," Sindac added.
He said that they are not discounting the possibility that communist rebels will stage attacks during similar occasions.
"Based on historical data, the CPP/NPA (Communist Party of the Philippines/ New People's Army)is known to stage hostile actions during similar occasions, including infiltration and agitation in mass actions, sabotage of public assemblies, and armed attacks on isolated government posts and vital installations in the countryside," he said.
As early as April 29, all PNP units have been placed on heightened alert in preparation for the Labor Day celebration.