NCRPO deploying over 15,000 cops to secure Sept. 21 rallies

(INQUIRER file photo / NINO JESUS ORBETA) MANILA, Philippines — The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) will deploy over 15,000 police officers to secure the upcoming anti-corruption rallies on September 21. “We are preparing for that,” NCRPO officer-in-charge Brig. Gen. Christopher Abrahano said in an interview with reporters on Thursday. “We will be deploying more than 15,000 na mga kapulisan natin to ensure na yung mga rallies na mangyayari ay peaceful, although we respect yung kanilang karapatan to express themselves,” he added. Article continues after this advertisement (We will be deploying more than 15,000 of our police officers to ensure that the rallies will be peaceful, although we respect their right to express themselves.) READ: PNP says it’s ‘always ready’ for another Trillion Peso March The NCRPO’s declaration comes as progressive groups are preparing for another set of rallies on September 21 to decry government corruption again, a year after the flood control controversy rallies. Sept. 21 also marks the 54th anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law by then-President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr., father of incumbent President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. At present, the Metro Manila police chief said that their units have not received any permits filed by organizers, which would have been relayed by their respective local government units. Article continues after this advertisement “Pinaigting natin yung coordination sa ibang intelligence units para at least ma-[foresee] natin kung anong mga grupo na magsusubok na humalo,” Abrahano said, citing the riots that took place during the anti-corruption protests in Manila on September 21 last year. (We’ve intensified our coordination with various intelligence units so we can at least foresee if there would be groups that would attempt to infiltrate the protesters.) Article continues after this advertisement “We are also establishing coordination with the known leaders nitong mga grupong ito para masabihan na sila, maaga pa lang ay makausap na,” he added. (We are also establishing coordination with the known leaders of these groups to warn them, to make arrangements with them this early.) The riots reportedly left at least one dead and hundreds arrested. Nonetheless, for the September 21 rallies this year, Abrahano said the NCRPO had not monitored any security threat. He added that the regional police force will be raising its alert level for the protest-actions. “Kailangan natin ng maraming tao. Wala munang leave. Kailangan tulong-tulong muna at we need a pool of policemen para magbantay sa mga kalsada natin,” Abrahano said. (We need a lot of personnel. There will be no leaves. We have to work together and we need a pool of policemen to safeguard our streets.) The anti-corruption protests on Sept. 21, 2025 stemmed from public outrage over the flood control and infrastructure corruption scandal. In a social media post earlier this month, progressive group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) said they will stage a new rally, claiming that the mastermind of the corruption scheme has not been investigated. “May ilang kinasuhan. May kinulong, ginawang witness, at lumaya. Samantala, ang mga mastermind ng korapsyon ay hindi iniimbestigahan,” Bayan said. (Some were charged. Some were jailed, made into witnesses and freed. Meanwhile, the true masterminds of corruption have yet to be investigated.) “Isang taon matapos ang malaking protesta kontra korapsyon, kailangan nating muling ipakita ang galit ng taumbayan laban sa nagpapatuloy na korapsyon at pandarambong sa ating bayan,” it added. Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful. (A year after our widespread protests against corruption, we must again show the people’s wrath against the prevailing corruption and the deception of our nation.) /gsg