FULL ALERT IN LUZON FOR LABOR DAY /
WARM HUMID LABOR DAY
[PHOTO COURTESY OF
PHILSTAR, News Report below- Members of the Kilusang Mayo Uno put the finishing
touches on a mural at their Quezon City office in preparation for tomorrow's
observance of Labor Day. Boy
Santos]
MANILA,
APRIL 30, 2012
(INQUIRER) From heightened alert
status, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has placed all its units in Luzon
on full alert, a day ahead of anticipated Labor Day rallies Tuesday, its
spokesman, Senior Superintendent Generoso Cerbo Jr. said Monday.
In a text message to reporters, Cerbo Jr. said PNP units from regions 3
(Central Luzon), 4A (Southern Tagalog), 4B (MIMAROPA), and 5 (Bicol), have been
placed on full alert status as preparation against various threat groups that
"might take advantage of simultaneous rallies and demonstrations by some
militant and cause-oriented groups" as they air their grievances and demands to
the government.
The police also called on protest leaders to coordinate with local
authorities assigned to places where they wish to stage their protest rallies
Tuesday in order to secure proper rally permits, adding that it will impose a
"no permit, no rally" policy in keeping with the PNP's standard operating
procedure.
Along with Luzon, police units in regions 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula), 10
(Northern Mindanao), 11(Southern Mindanao), 12 (Central Mindanao), 13 (Caraga
Region), and ARMM in Mindanao are also in full alert status, as well as the
National Capital Region (Metro Manila) and Special Action Force, Cerbo said.
The alert status was raised 8 a.m. Monday, he said.
Another PNP spokesman, Chief Superintendent Agrimero Cruz Jr., said the rest
of the police force remains in heightened alert status, but all unit commanders
have been given the authority to upgrade their alert level based on the
prevailing peace and order situation in their respective areas of
responsibility.
He said unit commanders were also reminded to secure all PNP camps and
offices, vital installations, economic key points and places of convergence of
people. Jamie Marie Elona
FROM PHILSTAR
AFP: No security threat on Labor Day (The
Philippine Star) Updated April 30, 2012 12:00 AMComments (0)
MANILA, Philippines - Unlike in previous national holidays, there is no
perceived significant security threat when the country commemorates Labor Day
tomorrow, a military official said.
"The AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) has not monitored any significant
threat. However, we will maintain vigilance and continue our intelligence
gathering and collection efforts to preempt any adverse
action by threat groups against our citizens," AFP spokesman Col. Arnulfo
Burgos Jr. said in a text message yesterday.
Burgos said the military would continue to share and exchange information
with law enforcement agencies to ensure the safety of the public.
"The safety, security and well-being of our people will remain of paramount
consideration in all our efforts," he said.
As a security measure, the Armed Forces National Capital Region Command
(NCRCOM) will place on standby three civil disturbance management (CDM)
companies with about 100 soldiers to support the police.
The NCRCOM will also meet with their Philippine National Police (PNP)
counterparts today to finalize the security preparations.
The PNP has also sent intelligence units around the metropolis to ensure the
safety of those who would participate in Labor Day activities.
According to the National Capital Regional Police Office (NCRPO), it has not
received intelligence reports that terrorist groups would incite violence during
the protest rally to be held at Mendiola, near Malacañang, in Manila.
Militant groups had earlier bared plans to stage demonstrations tomorrow to
criticize the Aquino administration for allegedly failing to improve the lives
of workers.
According to reports, militant groups will converge in various areas of
Manila, Quezon City and other parts of Metro Manila and nearby provinces before
marching toward Mendiola to air their grievances against the government.
All systems ready
The PNP is all set for the Labor Day celebration tomorrow with the NCRPO as
the primary unit responsible to ensure the safety of workers who would join the
celebration.
PNP spokesman Senior Superintendent Generoso Cerbo Jr. said PNP units have a
security plan already laid out for the event, which is expected to be attended
by thousands of workers in several areas nationwide, particularly in Metro
Manila.
"The NCRPO would be the OPR (office of primary responsibility) to be
supported by other PNP units. Our preparations include orientation on observance
of human rights of personnel assigned to CDM units," Cerbo said.
Chief Superintendent Juanito Vaño, NCRPO deputy for operations, said they
would be fielding a substantial number of anti-riot policemen in areas where
government and militant groups would gather to celebrate the event.
"We expect a peaceful Labor Day celebration because our district directors
are expected to have a dialogue with rally leaders today to establish guidelines
about their activities," Vaño said.
He said five police districts with some 200 CDM units were directed to be on
standby for immediate deployment when the need arises.
Vaño appealed to militant groups to police their ranks to prevent "anybody
from instigating violence."
Earlier, the Manila Police District (MPD) vowed to observe maximum tolerance
in dealing with activists.
MPD director Senior Superintendent Alejandro Gutierrez said at least 300
Manila policemen underwent training in dealing with protesters.
The MPD said "more than enough" police personnel would be deployed in key
areas like Liwasang Bonifacio, Mendiola and the United States embassy along
Roxas Boulevard.
Extra pay for workers on May 1
Meanwhile, workers nationwide can enjoy another day off or opt for extra pay.
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has reminded all employers
nationwide to allow their workers to go on a day off or give them double their
daily basic pay if they report for work on Labor Day.
Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said under the law all workers have the
option to take a day off on May 1, which is a regular holiday nationwide.
Baldoz said Malacañang has declared May 1 a regular holiday in commemoration
of the 110th Labor Day.
She urged all employers to observe the proper pay rules and other general
labor standards protecting the rights and welfare of workers.
Baldoz said employers are mandated to pay 200 percent in the first eight
hours and an additional 30 percent (based on hourly rate) for work in excess of
eight hours.
Those who opt not to report for work will still receive 100 percent of their
regular daily rate.
If the holiday falls on the employee's rest day and is required to work, he
would receive 260 percent of his daily rate on the first eight hours, plus 30
percent for work in excess of eight hours.
In observance of Labor Day, DOLE is mounting simultaneous job and livelihood
fairs nationwide, while thousands of workers are expected to march to Malacañang
to pressure the government to grant substantial pay hike.
Warm and humid Labor Day
The state weather bureau advised those who will participate in Labor Day
rallies tomorrow to drink lots of water, bring umbrellas and wear light clothing
and hats as warm and humid weather will continue to prevail over Luzon,
including Metro Manila, this week.
Nathaniel Servando, administrator of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical
and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), said only Mindanao would
experience cloudy weather with rainshowers and thunderstorms due to an active
low-pressure area (LPA) spotted at 160 kilometers east of General Santos City as
of 2 a.m. yesterday.
"Except for Mindanao which is cloudy with rainshowers and thunderstorms, the
rest of the country will generally have good weather," Servando said in a text
message to The STAR.
PAGASA said the temperature in Metro Manila will range from 25 to 36 degrees
Celsius in the next five days.
The warmest weather in the metropolis was recorded at 2 p.m. yesterday at
36.7 degrees Celsius.
Servando said they are closely monitoring the LPA, which has "a potential to
develop into a tropical cyclone and affect Mindanao and Palawan."
PAGASA weather division chief Robert Sawi added that the LPA is also expected
to bring rain over some parts of the Visayas this week.
He said afternoon or evening rain showers associated with the warm weather
are also likely to prevail over Metro Manila. – With Cecille
Felipe-Suerte, Non Alquitran, Mayen Jaymalin, Helen Flores
Chief News Editor: Sol
Jose Vanzi
© Copyright, 2012 by PHILIPPINE HEADLINE
NEWS ONLINE
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PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS
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