The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday conducted walkthroughs and ocular inspections in preparation for protests marking the 54th anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law on 21 September.

National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Officer-in-Charge Police Brig. Gen. Christopher Abrahano conducted an ocular inspection of roads and key areas in Manila ahead of the protests, while Quezon City Police District (QCPD) Director Police Brig. Gen. Christopher Olazo checked the People Power Monument along EDSA and other areas that protesters may use on Monday.

Abrahano began his walkthrough at CRB Mendiola and proceeded to JP Laurel Street, Ayala Bridge, TIP Manila, San Sebastian Church, the University of the East and Legarda.

Abrahano examined the routes firsthand as the NCRPO prepares for the upcoming activities. He emphasized that personnel must remain alert to conditions in these areas, maintain public safety and order, and respect the right to peaceful assembly.

The NCRPO is set to be placed on full alert, with more than 15,700 police personnel to be deployed in Metro Manila for the Sept. 21 protests.

Meanwhile, militant groups planning to stage protests have criticized the heightened security measures, saying these could delegitimize the demonstrations.

Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) secretary general Renato Reyes said the PNP “wants the people to think that the bigger problem is the scheduled protest and not the systemic corruption, economic crisis, national sell-out of Filipinos, and continuing repression under this regime.”

“The FULL ALERT STATUS signals repression and intimidation. It seeks to delegitimize the protests and reduce them to random acts of violence. Malacañang keeps throwing around the term ‘illegal’ when referring to the protests. When we say ‘never again,’ it’s never again to this kind of repression, intimidation and defense of the status quo. Kita-kits sa September 21. Makibaka, huwag matakot,” Reyes said.

The PNP has said it respects the right to peaceful assembly and that personnel have been directed to exercise maximum tolerance during the protests.