PNP deployed more than 3,000 officers in Metro Manila for INC rally

The Philippine National Police  ensured that the three-day rally of Iglesia ni Cristo started on Sunday will be safe and maintain orderly until its end by deploying their police officers on various protest sites.

As of 9:00 am on Sunday, police units remain active and fully deployed. At the Quirino Grandstand, 1,481 police officers are stationed, with an estimated 14,500 individuals present in the area. At the People Power Monument, 980 personnel are on standby, while 1,384 are at the EDSA Shrine.

Acting Chief PNP PLTGEN Nartatez assured the public that the PNP is prepared and focused on maintaining security throughout the day. He conveyed that the directive to all police officers is clear: remain calm, professional, and respect the rights of every participant.

We are continuously assessing developments on the ground. Rest assured that the PNP is on standby to ensure everyone's safety," PLTGEN Nartatez said in Filipino.

Meanwhile, PNP Spokesperson and Chief PIO PBGEN Randulf Tuañourged the attendees to cooperate with authorities and follow the designated safety reminders in the authorized areas. He urged the public to stay only within permitted areas, approach police officers if assistance is needed, and be cautious of unverified posts on social media.

“We remind everyone to rely on official PNP updates. Let us cooperate to ensure the orderly and safe conduct of the activities," PBGEN Tuaño said.

Nartatez ordered the Anti-Cybercrime Group to intensify their online monitoring to identify content creators with malice to spread fake claims and information amid the assemblies.

“We respect the freedom of speech and the freedom to air grievances but these do not include false claims and fake content,” Nartatez said.

According to the acting PNP Chief they have detected several online posts falsely claiming that there’s a crowd building up in Mendiola, a common protest area due to its close proximity to the palace.

Nartatez disclosed that they are looking into several accounts with a history of spreading misinformation but assured the public that their online monitoring is within the bounds of law.

Nartatez urged the public to practice careful and responsible sharing online.

My request to the public is to be careful about what they share. Let’s not forward claims we have not verified. We may inadvertently add to confusion

In addition, Tuaño said that police officers were reminded to exercise maximum tolerance and provide assistance to anyone in need. The PNP also continuously advises attendees to drink water, watch their personal belongings, and immediately report any suspicious situations to the police.