NCRPO on full alert for Trillion Peso March

MANILA, Philippines —  Starting Feb. 21, police forces in Metro Manila will be on full alert for the third Trillion Peso March, coinciding with the 40th anniversary of the EDSA people power revolt on Feb. 25.

Maj. Hazel Asilo, spokesperson for the National Capital Region Police Office, said the highest alert level would start by 5 p.m., which means all available NCRPO personnel are ready for deployment.

Up to 10,827 police officers will secure the anti-corruption rallies, which will be held at the EDSA People Power Monument on White Plains Avenue in Quezon City.

Organizers and participants are allowed to hold their activities from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

“Up to 20,000 attendees are allowed,” Asilo told reporters.

To prevent a repeat of the violence that marred the first anti-corruption rally in Manila last year, Asilo said police would be deployed at Don Chino Roces Bridge and Ayala Bridge near Malacañang.

The Quezon City government has approved one rally permit for organizers of the Trillion Peso March.

It rejected the applications of other groups that wanted to hold rallies from Feb. 21 to 25.

Police have not monitored any security threats to the anti-corruption protest.