Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. praised police personnel for keeping order during the first day of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial at the Senate, which ended without major security incidents despite protest actions outside the chamber.
Nartatez said the peaceful conduct of the July 6 proceedings showed the discipline of police units on the ground and the ability of citizens to exercise their democratic rights responsibly.
“I commend our men and women on the ground for their professionalism and strict adherence to the policy of maximum tolerance. The peaceful conduct of the assembly was a testament to the discipline of our police force and the maturity of our citizens in exercising their democratic rights,” Nartatez said.
The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) estimated the crowd outside the Senate in Pasay City at more than 300, as different groups staged separate rallies on the opening day of the trial.
The PNP deployed 6,630 personnel for the security operations, including 3,250 police officers assigned to the Senate complex and 2,900 Civil Disturbance Management personnel placed on standby for possible deployment.
Security measures included the activation of a Special Task Group, the installation of additional CCTV cameras in key areas, traffic rerouting plans, and coordination with nearby hospitals for emergency medical support.
Nartatez said police units were ordered to sustain real-time monitoring and adjust their security posture throughout the proceedings, following the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the guidance of Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla to protect democratic institutions and uphold the rule of law.
“Security is a dynamic, not a static, responsibility. We have institutionalized a 24/7 intelligence feedback loop, meaning our deployment strategy is recalibrated every hour based on real-time ground assessments to ensure that the Senate remains secure without impeding the public’s right to peaceful expression,” he said.
Nartatez also directed police intelligence units to step up monitoring for possible threats, provocations, or disruptive activities that could affect public safety or interrupt the impeachment proceedings.