PNP calls for calm as Congress convenes special session

READ: LIVE UPDATES: Congress convenes in special session

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) urged the public not to escalate political tensions amid the Senate leadership squabble as both houses of Congress convene for a special session on Wednesday, June 17.

In a statement, PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the national police force is “anticipating protest actions especially amid the political situation.”

“While we fully respect everyone’s freedom to express opinion and participate in a political activity, we in the PNP believe that this could be done without resorting to any move that could compromise the safety of anybody,” Nartatez explained.

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READ: Special session agenda: New laws or new Senate president?

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“Let us all work together to make all these activities safe and peaceful for everybody,” he added.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. called for the special session through Proclamation No. 1318 last Monday, citing the need to pass urgent legislative measures and the pending appointments of government and military officers.

However, Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano claimed the special session aimed to remove him as Senate president and take control of the powerful Senate blue ribbon committee, which leads the chamber’s investigation into the flood control corruption scandal.

Cayetano was removed as Senate president after a 12-member bloc voted to vacate all leadership positions and install Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian as Senate president pro tempore.

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Cayetano, nonetheless, maintained that he was the “legitimate” Senate president.

As the special session is set to convene at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, the PNP said police officers have already been deployed to the House of Representatives in Quezon City and the Senate in Pasay City, with over 300 NCRPO personnel at the latter.

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Nartatez particularly noted that the NCRPO’s deployment at the Senate had “the option to increase numbers if crowds grow.”

“Tight security checks are in place, including vehicle inspections and strict ID verification for entry,” Nartatez said.

“While we remain apolitical and non-partisan, our focus remains on maintaining peace and order in society amid these political tensions,” he stressed. /gsg

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