PNP to go on full alert ahead of Labor Day

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday said it would place its forces on full alert over the weekend in time for the observation of Labor Day on Sunday. In a text message, PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Agrimero Cruz Jr. said the full alert status would be in effect starting 8 a.m. Saturday. Cruz also told GMA News Online that the alert status would be in effect nationwide. "All Unit commanders are reminded to secure all PNP camps and offices, vital installations, economic key points and places of convergence of people," said the memo that was sent to all regional and provincial police directors. On Thursday, members of the militant group Kilusang Mayo Uno staged a pre-Labor Day protest at Department of Labor and Employment office in Manila. Police deployed forces to the area after receiving information that the protest movement might turn violent. The rally, however, ended without any untoward incidents. The militant workers bared a wish list for Labor Day after Malacañang hinted at "good news" for the labor sector on May 1. The Kilusang Mayo Uno said it will not settle for anything less than a "significant" wage hike, and the junking of the 12-percent value-added tax on oil products. Earlier, Director Nicanor Bartolome, commander of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), ordered that the "no permit, no rally" policy be enforced on Labor Day following a meeting with his district directors to coordinate their plans, radio dzBB reported Tuesday afternoon. — Mark Merueñas/RSJ, GMA News