Heightened alert up Monday for May 1 rallies

The Philippine National Police will place Metro Manila under heightened alert starting Monday in preparation for rallies by different leftist groups on May 1, Labor Day. According to GMA's Flash Report Saturday, PNP Chief Director General Oscar Calderon directed Metro Manila police chief Director Reynaldo Varilla to activate Task Force Manila Shield for the security measures to be implemented on Tuesday. Calderon ordered the review of the measures to address transportation and traffic problems caused by the anticipated mass actions of labor groups. Militant groups traditionally take the streets on Labor Day to air their grievances against the government, especially on wage issues. Heightened Alert is the second of three alert levels, which mandates the physical presence of 50 percent of the police force while full or red alert is the highest level, which requires the presence of all police personnel. Police authorities earlier said some 13,000 personnel will be deployed to deal with Labor Day protest marches. Radio DZBB reported Wednesday that National Capital Region Police Office spokesman Superintendent Rommel Miranda estimated fewer marchers this year as labor-oriented party-list groups are busy campaigning for the May 14 polls. NCRPO deputy chief for operations Chief Superintendent Eric Javier added that most police personnel will likely be deployed to Liwasang Bonifacio, a freedom park where labor groups usually converge. Metro Manila police officials met Wednesday to iron out security measures to address the traditional rallies and protests that will mark Labor Day. - GMANews.TV