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PNP fully ready for BBM, Sara Proclamation

May 24, 2022 Alfred P. Dalizon 307 views

Alfred DalizonTHERE’S really no stopping the proclamation of President-elect Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. and Vice President-elect, Davao City Mayor and presidential daughter Sara Dutette-Carpio with the way the Philippine National Police has prepared for the event since late last year, PNP Officer-in-Charge, Lieutenant General Vic Danao has assured the country.

The top cop has assured their complete preparedness to ensure the smooth and peaceful proclamation of the Marcos-Duterte tandem who convincingly won the presidential and vice-presidential race last May 9 , with voters giving each of the two more than 16 million margin to their closest rivals, Vice President Leni Robredo and Senator Kiko Pangilinan.

“Even before the election started, me nakalatag na tayong security measures sa Congress dahil nadiyan ang final canvassing of votes and the proclamation of the winners,” Lt. Gen. Danao said. So far, one company of policemen are already stationed at the House of Representatives in Batasan Pambansa, Quezon City to ensure that the canvassing of votes and the proclamation of the winners would not be hampered by anyone.

Lt. Gen. Danao also renewed his instruction to his men and his appeal to the supporters of Robredo and Pangilinan who are yet to concede defeat although poll watchdogs like the PPCRV had made it clear that the elections were very fair and credible despite some unavoidable glitches.

“Ang lagi kong sinasabi, let’s exercise maximum tolerance in dealing with those rallyists. Everyone has their own right to express their own grievances. Karapatan natin yan but nakikiusap ako na let’s do it in proper forum. Pag nasa area kayo na bawal, talagang bubuwagin kayo,” Lt. Gen. Danao told me.

The PNP-OIC said they will ensure that rallyists will be prevented from going to the site. “Majority of the people have spoken. Let those who won prove their worth. Bigyan natin sila ng pagkakataon na ipakita ang kanilang galing at kapabilidad na mamuno sa ating bansa,” he said in warning protesters that police will apply the full force of the law on them once they defy the rules.

Majority have expressed support to Lt. Gen. Danao’s call on everybody o exercise prudence and sobriety as the Joint House of Congress starts a public session at the session hall of the House of Representatives to canvass the votes for president and vice-president.

This time, the policy of the PNP to exercise maximum tolerance in dealing with all kinds of protesters amid the pandemic will be tested once again. The top cop said that they have been instructed by DILG Secretary Ed Año to use a ‘calibrated response’ in dealing with would-be protesters to ensure that the rule of law will prevail.

Come to think of it, shortly after the May 9 polls ended, the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict or NTF-ELCAC slammed as an “unruly mob” the group of protesters that staged a rally in front of the Comelec purportedly to “stop” the poll body from declaring the certain victory of the Marcos-Duterte tandem.

Since the counting of the votes started, at least 50 protest rallies have been staged in the streets including in front of the Comelec office in Intramuros and the Supreme Court by groups opposing the landslide victory of the Marcos-Duterte tandem.

The protesters are consistently coming from militant groups BAYAN, Gabriela, Anakpawis, Kilusang Mayo Uno, Migrante, ACT-Teachers, SELDA, Karapatan, Bayan Muna, Sinagbayan, Kabataan party-list, COURAGE, Kadamay and some Catholic Church-affiliated organizations who have strongly supported the failed presidential ambition of Mrs. Robredo.

I agree with Lt. Gen. Danao when he said that said that everybody has the right to air their grievances and as enshrined in the Constitution, all have the freedom of speech and expression.

However, it should be made clear here that the police force won’t allow the protest actions to turn violent and affect the peace and order situation in the country.

The official ordered the monitoring of post-election activities of different groups opposed to the landslide victory of the Marcos-Duterte. The monitoring is needed since it is their prime duty to maintain peace and order and prevent chaos in the streets that may affect innocent civilians and properties in the event the anti-government protesters turn violent.

However, Lt. Gen. Danao said he has instructed his men to observe maximum tolerance in the event that big demonstrations or rallies will be held by personalities and groups that can’t accept the fact that the presidential candidate they fully supported, Vice- Robredo was badly beaten by former Senator Marcos Jr. by more than 16 million votes despite wide efforts to demonize the son-namesake of the late strongman.

“We understand the sentiment of the supporters and we respect the citizen’s right of self -expression. However, we are appealing to the concerned groups to refrain from engaging in activities that can instigate and disrupt peace and order in the community,” Danao said.

The PNP-OIC reiterated his call on the public to remain vigilant especially when joining mass gatherings since the threat of the COVID-19 virus still remains and all are required to maintain physical distancing and wear face masks.

“Now is another opportunity to show goodwill by being responsible citizens of this country. The essence of real democracy is grounded on respect and discipline fostering the general welfare of the Filipinos,” Lt. Gen. Danao said.

“This very crucial season in the Philippine’s political landscape was marked with the cooperation from the citizens who exercised a valuable role in defending their votes as well. The PNP recognizes the active participation of the Filipinos at large paving way for a generally peaceful elections,” he added.

The NTF-ELCAC said that the government may apply the full force of the law against the protesters being exploited by some quarters to advance their selfish agenda once they really become a threat to national security and join the CPP/NPA/NDF in executing a plan to forcibly stop the Marcos-Duterte proclamation.

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, who along with Senator Ping Lacson has conceded defeat in the May 9 presidential race, barely days after the Marcos victory became imminent, has ordered the Manila Police District headed by Brigadier Gen. Francisco to crack down on unauthorized rallies in the city aimed at questioning the result of the May 9 polls. The mayor said that the MPD and Manila barangay officials will strictly enforce Batas Pambansa 880 or the Public Assembly Act when it comes to dealing with the protesters.

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