Video cams, not guns for cops at SONA rallies

Instead of firearms, video cameras will be the main 'weapons' of police dealing with rallies at President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's last State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday. Metro Manila police director Chief Superintendent Roberto Rosales said Saturday the video cameras will help them review any incident that may occur on Monday. "The video cameras will be part of our operation. They will help us document what happens, so we will have a reference if something untoward happens," Rosales said in Filipino on government-run dzRB radio. This will complement the closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems already in place, he said. As this developed, the Central Luzon police sent at least 500 personnel to Metro Manila to beef up security for the SONA. Radio dwIZ reported Saturday afternoon that the personnel came from the Central Luzon Regional Mobile Group. Rosales also said Metro Manila police will be on the lookout for back-riders on motorcycles, which they suspect are used by protesters planning lightning rallies in "unauthorized" areas. "Iiwasan natin dahil malusutan din, ang previous experience, doon nakatira wala naman pala. Mag-iipon sila and they will conduct their lightning rally [We don’t want them to get past us. Our previous experience showed the back-riders would be dropped off at an area where protesters will stage a lightning rally]," he said. Rosales said he had instructed police dealing with protesters to have no firearms. He said only police who are in uniform, unarmed and with video cameras can approach protesters. He added they are now conducting the “finishing touches" to their preparations for the SONA. "Ito ang pulis na nakauniporme, hindi nakabaril, at naka-videocam [Only police in uniform, unarmed and bringing video cameras can approach protesters]," he said. Rosales also said rerouting plans have been finalized for the SONA rallies and for the anniversary of Iglesia ni Cristo, particularly in Metro Manila. Meanwhile, Rosales said the Commission on Human Rights will send five teams of six members each, or 30 personnel, to monitor the SONA-related activities. "Nag-agree kami 5 teams, 30 tao yan, sa lahat ng site kung saan naroon ang aming mga pulis [We agreed the CHR will send five teams, overall 30 personnel, to all sites where police are stationed]," he said. On the other hand, Rosales said he saw no problems in the preparations for Mrs. Arroyo’s last SONA, even as he said rally leaders claimed they can summon some 25,000 to their protests.- GMANews.TV