PNP Chief Director General Oscar Albayalde
QUEZON CITY, Philippines – The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday (October 1) said they have not yet monitored any threat of terrorism days before the conduct of the Red October protest on October 17.
PNP Chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said the event is expected to be an ordinary protest action although their military counterparts said the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has monitored a threat from the New People’s Army (NPA) which aims to sabotage the Red October rally and link it to the communists’ ouster plot against President Rodrigo Duterte.
“Hindi siya nakikitang threat as of this time but it can be a concern. But we do not treat it as a threat as far as the PNP is concerned,” Albayalde said.
Nevertheless, Albayalde said they do not discount the information provided by the military which the President himself has mentioned.
In line with this, the PNP will deploy policemen in and around the protest site for the protection and safety of the participants.
“I think there’s a basis for that and the statement of the President. Remember the President has unlimited access to information. There’s a reason for this,” the PNP Chief explained.
In view of the Red October, the PNP Chief advised the public, especially factory workers who are commonly enticed to join, not to participate in the protests for their safety.
“Huwag po tayong maniwala. Tayo rin ang mawawalan ng trabaho. Kapag nawalan tayo ng trabaho, lalaki an gating problema,” Albayalde said.
Last week, AFP Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations BGen. Antonio Parlade announced that the leftist groups are planning to stage a series of mass protest actions between October 11 and 17 which will be followed by a Lakbay Lumad Europe movement in November.
These events are a prelude to the 50th founding anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) NPA in December, according to Perlade. – Marje Pelayo (with reports from Lea Ylagan)
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