1,500 cops deployed for #BabaeAko rally

MANILA, Philippines — At least 1,500 police officers would be deployed for the rally of the #BabaeAko movement at the Liwasang Bonifacio tomorrow to protest President Duterte’s kissing of a married woman during his visit to South Korea, an official said yesterday.

National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director Chief Superintendent Guillermo Eleazar said they would allow the rallyists to air their protest against misogyny and sexism even if they have no permit from the local government of Manila.

“They can shout their hearts out all they want but they should do this in accordance with the rule of law,” Eleazar said in an interview.

“They should police their ranks and refrain from destroying government and private properties,” he added.

Eleazar said 500 of the police officers would come from the Manila Police District (MPD) and 1,000 from the NCRPO’s Regional Police Safety Battalion.

The NCRPO chief said they would exercise maximum tolerance in dealing with the protesters.

Eleazar directed MPD director Chief Superintendent Rolando Anduyan to coordinate with the rally leaders to establish ground rules for the rally on Independence Day.

Zena Bernardo, co-convenor of the movement, yesterday said they expect 10,000 people from various groups will join the protest rally.

The demonstrators will gather at Rizal Park in the afternoon of June 12 and march to Liwasang Bonifacio.

Bernardo said Communications Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson is welcome to join the protest march.