Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. on Tuesday commended police personnel for maintaining peace and order during the opening day of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial.

Nartatez directed all units to sustain real-time security monitoring and operational adjustments throughout the proceedings, in line with the directive of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., through the guidance of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla, to protect democratic institutions and uphold the rule of law.

“I commend our men and women on the ground for their professionalism and strict adherence to the policy of maximum tolerance. The peaceful conduct of the assembly was a testament to the discipline of our police force and the maturity of our citizens in exercising their democratic rights,” Nartatez said.

The first day of the Senate impeachment trial on 7 July remained generally peaceful despite separate rallies held by different groups outside the Senate in Pasay City. The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) estimated the crowd at more than 300.

To ensure the safe and orderly conduct of the proceedings, the PNP deployed 6,630 personnel, including 3,250 police officers assigned to secure the Senate complex and 2,900 Civil Disturbance Management personnel on standby for immediate deployment if needed.

Security preparations also included the activation of a Special Task Group, the installation of additional CCTV cameras in strategic areas, the implementation of traffic rerouting plans, and coordination with nearby hospitals to provide immediate emergency medical assistance if necessary.

Nartatez said maintaining peace during the opening day was only the beginning, stressing that security measures must continuously adapt to changing conditions on the ground.

“Security is a dynamic, not a static, responsibility. We have institutionalized a 24/7 intelligence feedback loop, meaning our deployment strategy is recalibrated every hour based on real-time ground assessments to ensure that the Senate remains secure without impeding the public’s right to peaceful expression,” he said.

Nartatez also ordered police intelligence units to intensify monitoring to detect and prevent potential threats, provocations, or disruptive activities that could affect public safety or the orderly conduct of the impeachment proceedings.