‘Hold virtual Independence Day activities’: PNP
STRESSING that the deadly threat of COVID-19 remains to date, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Guillermo Lorenzo T. Eleazar on Friday urged groups planning to stage mass actions on Independence Day to use the different online platforms in holding their activities.
“Mas maigi pa rin po talaga na gawin ang inyong mga aktibidad para sa Araw ng Kalayaan sa pamamagitan ng Zoom o iba pang mga social media platforms,” Eleazar said while maintaining that the COVID-19 still poses a serious threat to public health and safety.
“The PNP respects everyone’s right to freedom of speech and expression subalit iba po ang ating sitwasyon ngayon. Maging responsable po tayo at unahin ang kalusugan at kaligtasan ng bawat isa,” he said.
Nevertheless, Eleazar said the PNP will remain on alert in anticipation of people who will physically hold protest actions on the streets and venues for the 123rd celebration of the country’s independence.
He reminded all police personnel to observe maximum tolerance in dealing with protesters and to give them time to disperse voluntarily in an orderly manner.
“Huwag daanin sa init ng ulo ang pakikipagusap sa mga magra-rally sa Sabado upang maiwasan ang gulo. Kung talagang may mga pasaway na tahasan ang pagsuway sa ating minimum public health safety standards, pasensyahan po tayo pero we have to enforce the law,” the top cop said.
The PNP chief appealed for the public’s cooperation to maintain a peaceful and orderly commemoration of Independence Day.
“Pakiusap ko po sa publiko na sumunod po tayo sa mga tagapagpatupad ng batas para hindi na po humantong pa sa arestuhan,” Eleazar said.
The PNP remained on full alert to address all kinds of threat from lawless elements who may take advantage of the event.
“Sa ngayon po, wala naman tayong namomonitor na banta sa paggunita ng ating Araw ng Kalayaan. Magkagayon man, ang buong kapulisan po ay patuloy na magbabantay upang maging maayos ang ating sitwasyon sa araw na iyon,” Eleazar said.
