MANILA: The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday (Dec 1) said it will be downgrading its alert level status from “full alert” to “heightened alert” after the Nov 30 anti-corruption protests concluded “peacefully and with no untoward incidents.”
The PNP previously explained that “full alert” meant that all its personnel are expected to report and be ready to be deployed, while “heightened alert” meant at least 75 per cent of the police force’s total manpower must be available.
“We’ll have a briefing and we will clean up at the places where the rallies were held and then, they will be going home by 5pm. And so, by 5pm, we will be downgrading our status,” acting PNP chief Lt Gen Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr said in a press briefing in Camp Crame.
In a statement earlier on Monday, the PNP said it monitored at least 90,000 participants in 119 protest-actions across the country.
At least 16,000 participants were monitored in Metro Manila rallies near the People Power Monument and the Epifanio delos Santos Avenue Shrine in Quezon City; as well as the Luneta Park, Liwasang Bonifacio and Recto Avenue in Manila.
“I’m pleased to report that the entire activity was peaceful and no major untoward incidents were recorded. This positive outcome is the result of early preparations, strategic planning and close coordination with our partner agencies,” Nartatez said. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
