No nightsticks, guns for cops, only cameras

Police all decked out and ready to deal with today’s Labor Day demonstrations will give new meaning to the phrase "maximum tolerance" when, instead of guns and nightsticks, they will be armed with cameras.

Natioanal Capital Region Police Office chief Director Vidal Querol said pictures and footage taken of the rallies and mass actions will be preserved especially if the events lead to violence and flagrant violation of the law.

"Binabalaan ko ang mga pinuno at miyembro ng mga pangkat na mararahas na lahat ng kanilang mga kilos ay dokumentado ng ating mga camera (We warn rally organizers and members not to be violent during the rallies as the police are keeping an eye on them through cameras)," he said.

Querol warned that police will apply the full force of the law against troublemakers in the celebration of Labor Day as thousands of militant workers are expected to hold rallies to press for an increase in the daily wage.

He explained that these pictures and video footages may be used as evidence to prosecute cases for violation of the law.

The footages will be reviewed to be able to identify any individual who would start violence during mass actions.

Querol stressed that police units will strictly enforce the provisions of Batas Pambansa 880, which requires rallyists to first secure a permit from local governments, as well as related city ordinances regarding public assemblies.

He advised leaders and organizers of all mass actions to marshall their own ranks against infiltrators and saboteurs, and to always keep their lines of communication open with police units on the ground.

The entire Philippine National Police has been placed on "heightened alert" to respond to any situation that may arise from the projected activities of labor and cause-oriented groups.

"As government workers, we in the police force are also entitled to commemorate the significance of Labor Day. But duty calls that we must insure order against those who wish to create trouble in the otherwise peaceful and meaningful observance of this event," Querol said.