NCRPO requests more units for INC’s main rally at Liwasang Bonifacio

MANILA, Philippines — The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) on Wednesday said it has requested additional personnel from other regional police units for the third day of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC)-led rally, which has moved to Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila.

NCRPO chief Major Gen. Anthony Aberin said he made the request due to the close proximity of Liwasang Bonifacio to Malacañang.

“I already requested additional personnel from other units because we understand Liwasan is near Malacañang,” Aberin told reporters in a chance interview.

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READ: INC says it will move main protest to Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila

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According to Aberin, he already ordered the director of the Manila Police District to begin sending personnel to Liwasang Bonifacio, with an initial deployment of 1,000 officers already planned.

Asked if it would be easier to monitor Liwasang Bonifacio than the rally’s old venue along White Plains Avenue in Quezon City, Aberin admitted that it was “heavier” due to its proximity to Malacañang.

“The pressure and the stress are the same on my part, but it is challenging because Liwasan is near Malacañang,” said Aberin.

READ: Marcos departs for Canada as Palace rejects fears of INC-backed coup

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He then assured the public that the NCRPO will maintain its full alert status, adding that personnel deployed in the vicinity of Malacañang will be retained.

Second day better than first

Meanwhile, Aberin said initial assessments show that the second day of the INC-led rally was better than Tuesday’s as organizers abided by the rally permit issued by the Quezon City government.

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“We can say the second day was better than the first because the conditions stipulated in the permit were observed, including the designated schedule of 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.,” said Aberin.

The INC held the sudden rally in support of Sen. Rodante Marcoleta, who is set to be charged with a non-bailable case of plunder in the Sandiganbayan this week, as well as to call for greater government transparency.

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Initially held along White Plains Avenue in Quezon City (with no rally permit on the first day), the INC moved the third day of their gathering to Liwasang Bonifacio as their permit rally for Thursday, July 2, was recalled due to unspecified violations. /cb