6,000 cops to secure Metro Manila Independence Day rites

MANILA, Philippines — At least 6,000 police officers will secure Metro Manila during the 124th Independence Day rites today.

Lt. Col. Jenny Tecson, spokesperson for the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), said yesterday around 2,000 members of the security contingent will secure four flag-raising ceremonies that will be held today – two in Manila and one each in San Juan and Caloocan.

President Duterte is expected to attend the Independence Day rites at the Rizal Park in Manila.

Police officers will monitor other areas in Metro Manila.

“All in all, there would be more than 6,000,” she said in Filipino in a text message.

Tecson said all the NCRPO’s five police districts have personnel that are on standby and ready to augment other police units.

She assured the public there is no serious threat to security related to the observance of Independence Day in Metro Manila.

“We have not received or monitored reports,” she said in Filipino.

Dolomite beach  to reopen

Meanwhile, the Manila Baywalk Dolomite Beach will be reopened to the public this afternoon to coincide with the country’s celebration of Independence Day.

The beach’s reopening will be held simultaneously with the unveiling of the World War II Heritage Cannon in the Remedios area.

The Heritage Cannon is one of the original World War II cannons from Fort Drum Island situated at the mouth of Manila Bay.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Undersecretary for policy, planning and international affairs Jonathan Leones said the two activities will “encourage patriotism among the public and to signify that the battle to cleanup Manila Bay is not yet over.”

He also pointed out that the 500-meter beach nourishment project, which began in 2020, has withstood rains, typhoons and floods.

Meanwhile, Manila Bay Coordinating Office executive director Jacob Meimban said the beach reopening is only for visitation, walking and sunset viewing.

He said the beach is not yet ready for swimming as the water quality is still not within the 100 most probable number per 100 milliliters standard fecal coliform level.

The DENR will allow 1,500 to 3,500 persons at a given time in the 500-meter span of the dolomite beach to ensure that the minimum health protocols are strictly followed.

Meimban said that online pre-registration is not needed under Alert Level 1, but encouraged visitors to be fully vaccinated before their visit.

“Wearing of face masks and physical distancing will be strictly enforced,” he added. – Rhodina Villanueva