The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) will deploy more than 10,000 cops to secure the Labor Day commemoration on May 1.

NCRPO chief Maj. Gen. Edgar Alan Okubo said Saturday that of the 10,529 cops around Metro Manila, there will be over 1,000 Reactionary Standby Support Force (RSSF) from the regional headquarters.

He noted that Labor Day celebrations are usually marked with mass actions and protests conducted by labor organizations and progressive groups.

The security plan includes strategic personnel deployment, civil disturbance management, anti-criminality intervention, counter-terrorism, traffic management, emergency response team, monitoring of lightning rallies, and other related security measures, according to Okubo.

He reiterated the “no permit, no rally” policy, except for freedom parks.

“We are not the enemies of the rallyists. I assure that the NCRPO is always ready to secure the public from any eventuality as well as guarantee that your police force will deal with those who will conduct rallies with maximum tolerance and utmost respect for human rights. Protesters must follow existing laws and ordinances to ensure the successful conduct of this event,” Okubo said.

Meanwhile, PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said the main focus of the deployment is on freedom parks and other areas where protest actions and other activities are expected in connection with the Labor Day celebration.

She said among the areas to be guarded are Mendiola in Manila, the Quezon Memorial Circle, and Welcome Rotonda in Quezon City, and other places where militant activists usually hold protest actions.

As for transportation hubs, she said these were secured early,- especially in Metro Manila and other urban areas – in anticipation of another round of exodus of people who want to take advantage of the long weekend break.

She also said the alert level for the PNP has not been raised since police commanders on the ground were given the authority to raise their respective alert levels depending on the situation in their areas of responsibility.

“This will be a normal alert, but definitely on the part of the national headquarters, we will be monitoring national events,” Fajardo said. (PNA)