The National Capital Regional Police Office (NCRPO) on Wednesday said it will focus on three areas identified as critical during the expected anti-corruption protest on February 25.
“Tututok po kami sa mga identified critical at strategic areas kaugnay ng aktibidad partikular po sa EDSA corridor kabilang po iyong ating mga convergence at assembly points gaya po ng SM Mall of Asia sa Pasay City at White Plains Avenue sa Quezon City,” said NCRPO spokesperson Police Major Hazel Asilo in a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon briefing.
(We will focus on identified critical and strategic areas related to the activity, particularly the EDSA corridor, including our convergence and assembly points such as the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City and White Plains Avenue in Quezon City.)
“Bibigyang-pansin din po natin ang mga pangunahing interseksyon, entry at exit points ganun din po iyong mga lugar na may inaasahang mataas na daloy ng sasakyan at mga tao upang matiyak ang maayos na daloy ng trapiko, kaligtasan ng publiko at ganun din po iyong ating mabilis na pagtugon sakaling may pangangailangan,” she added.
(We will also give attention to major intersections, entry and exit points, as well as areas where a high flow of vehicles and people is expected, in order to ensure smooth traffic flow, public safety, and also our rapid response should there be a need.)
For now, the NCRPO has yet to determine the final number of personnel that will be deployed for the upcoming protest.
“Ang deployment po natin ay flexible at situational at ia-adjust po natin iyan batay sa aktuwal na kondisyon sa mismong araw ng aktibidad,” said Asilo.
(Our deployment is flexible and situational, and we will adjust it based on the actual conditions on the day of the activity itself.)
The NCRPO official added police presence during protests is only meant to provide security and not to intimidate participants.
“Mahalaga pong linawin natin na ang presensiya po ng ating kapulisan ay hindi po para manakot or manghimasok kung hindi po para magbigay ng seguridad at kapanatagan sa publiko,” Asilo said.
(It is important for us to clarify that the presence of our police force is not meant to intimidate or interfere, but rather to provide security and peace of mind to the public.)
“Ang kapulisan po ng NCRPO ay risk-based deployment ang tamang bilang ng pulis sa tamang lugar at sa tamang oras. Mas mainam pong handa kaysa magkulang lalo na po kung kaligtasan ng publiko ang nakataya,” she added.
(The NCRPO follows risk-based deployment—the right number of police in the right place at the right time. It is better to be prepared than to be lacking, especially when public safety is at stake.)
The NCRPO said it has yet to monitor any threats on February 25.
“Sa kasalukuyan po wala ay wala naman po tayong namu-monitor na particular na banta sa seguridad ngunit ang amin pong paghahanda ay go upscale at preventive. Layunin po nito na maagapan ang anumang posibleng insidente at mapanatili po ang kaayusan,” said Asilo.
(Currently, we have not monitored any particular threat to security, but our preparations are upscale and preventive. This aims to preempt any possible incident and maintain order.) —RF, GMA Integrated News
