The Philippine National Police (PNP) has placed all units on heightened alert ahead of Labor Day, with its chief Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. assuring the public that security forces will safeguard rallies while upholding the right to peaceful assembly.
Nartatez said the nationwide alert status, which will take effect midnight of Friday, is meant to ensure orderly and safe observance of Labor Day activities across the country.
“We respect the right to peaceful assembly, but we will not tolerate any acts of violence or lawlessness,” he said, stressing that police officers have been instructed to exercise maximum tolerance while enforcing the law.
Authorities said there are no monitored threats so far that could disrupt the annual workers’ mobilizations, but security forces remain on guard. The PNP Intelligence Group has been directed to coordinate closely with local government units to detect and prevent any attempts to infiltrate or destabilize protests.
More than 106,000 personnel have been deployed nationwide, including police officers, members of other uniformed services, and civilian volunteers, to secure key areas and demonstration sites.
Nartatez emphasized that the deployment is focused on protecting both protesters and the general public, reiterating that the police presence is intended to maintain peace rather than suppress dissent.
He also ordered Civil Disturbance Management units to use body-worn cameras to document interactions on the ground, ensuring transparency and accountability during operations.
As workers prepare to mark Labor Day, the PNP chief called on officers to remain professional and disciplined, reminding them that their primary duty is to keep the public safe while respecting democratic rights.