Police detail at SONA may go up to 12,000

MANILA, Philippines - Amid criticisms of an "overkill" in the number of policemen securing President Arroyo's State of the Nation Address on July 27, Metro Manila police indicated Thursday they may beef up the police detail further to 12,000. Radio dzBB's Denver Trinidad reported Metro Manila police director Chief Superintendent Roberto Rosales said some of the 12,000 would also do "other" duties on that day. He said some of the 12,000 would be assigned to the Iglesia ni Cristo, which will mark its anniversary on July 27. Others will be detailed to anti-crime operations in key areas in Metro Manila. Earlier, Malacañang defended the elaborate security preparations for Mrs. Arroyo’s SONA, saying it is better to be prepared than be caught flatfooted. Press Secretary Cerge Remonde also lashed out at Mrs. Arroyo’s critics for repeatedly raising the specter of emergency rule and Martial Law as SONA approaches. “You know the situation. It’s damned if you do, damned if you don’t. But when security is concerned, it is better to be safe than sorry especially with the threat of terrorism. Government has to do everything to ensure peace and order in such an event. That’s why the government is fielding so many policemen, that’s the right thing to do," Remonde said in an interview on dzXL radio. “The problem as I said is that the opposition is throwing everything at the administration including the proverbial kitchen sink. If security preparations are lacking, they will criticize us. That is why we are doing everything in the interest of public order and safety, and we expect nothing else from the opposition except criticism," he added. Earlier reports said some 7,000 police officers would be deployed in Metro Manila on July 27, when Mrs. Arroyo delivers her SONA before a joint session of Congress at the Batasan Complex in Quezon City. Malacañang’s critics branded the security preparations as “overacting," adding it was meant to intimidate protesters. - GMANews.TV