Around 200 police personnel have been deployed around the Senate building in Pasay City as authorities brace for possible demonstrations amid the continued stay of Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa under Senate protection.
National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Maj. Gen. Anthony Aberin said the deployment was ordered Monday night to ensure peace and order in the area.
“We are here to maintain peace and preserve the status quo,” Aberin told reporters Tuesday morning, noting that police are also preventing rallyists from entering the Senate premises.
The NCRPO chief said the deployed personnel are part of the Civil Disturbance Management unit and were instructed to exercise “maximum tolerance” while carrying out their duties.
Aberin said authorities expect supporters of Dela Rosa to gather near the Senate to express support for the senator following the issuance of an arrest warrant against him by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
“My assessment is that some groups will organize, but they may not be as aggressive as last night,” Aberin said, adding that the Senate had already declared that arresting officers could not simply enter the Senate premises.
The Senate earlier placed Dela Rosa under protective custody after the ICC issued a warrant for his arrest in connection with the crimes against humanity case linked to former president Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-drug campaign.
The ICC identified Dela Rosa as among the alleged co-perpetrators in the case involving Duterte.
Aberin, meanwhile, said there was no need for supporters to force their way into the Senate compound since the senator remains inside the building.
He also stressed that while the public has the right to hold protests, demonstrators must comply with the law and avoid causing disturbances.
“The moment they create trouble, we will arrest them,” Aberin warned, while appealing to protesters to remain orderly and disciplined.