NO significant untoward incidents were reported in Metro Manila and other key cities across the country as workers’ groups from different labor organizations celebrated international Labor Day today.
Although no significant reports of violence or confrontation involving workers’ groups that staged mass action and public assemblies in Manila, Cebu City, Davao City, Iloilo City, Baguio City, Calamba City, Legaspi City, and Cavite, the PNP high command under Director General Alan LM Purisima has directed all PNP Regional Directors to continue implementing their respective security and public safety plans even after the Labor Day activities have been concluded.
Security measures had been in place since 6:00AM this morning in anticipation of police contingencies arising from projected Labor Day activities by different workers’ groups and other cause-oriented organizations.
As of press time, NCRPO personnel remain in their posts at the Chino Roces Bridge, Liwasang Bonifacio, Mabuhay Rotonda, Bonifacio Monument, Plaza Salamanca in Ermita, Manila; and at the Ninoy Aquino monument in Makati City where an estimated 5,000 participants from different labor groups briefly held their Labor Day programs earlier.
The PNP leadership is thankful to the organizers of the mass actions for their cooperation
to the security measures we implemented that resulted in the generally peaceful outcome
of the Labor Day activities.
We attribute this generally peaceful and orderly Labor Day celebration to the early preparations by the Police Regional Offices that contributed significantly to the successful implementation of security operations.
These preparations include advance coordination with labor groups and militant organizations that were given permits to hold public assemblies outside of Freedom Parks.
This only goes to show that peaceful and orderly public assemblies can be held if everyone will cooperate.