The Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) is appealing for a peaceful and orderly conduct of the Sept. 21 “Trillion Peso March.”
ICPO spokesperson Maj. Shella Mae Sangrines on Thursday, Sept. 18, said that although the “no permit, no rally” policy has been lifted in line with the activity, three groups decided to secure permits for the rally on Sunday.
“We welcome that because we can deploy the needed personnel to ensure peace and order, and at the same time, ensure protection for the participants,” Sangrines in a video message to the media.
She said the ICPO is ready and the deployed police force will remain professional and apolitical, with the rights of everyone respected.
The ICPO Civil Disturbance Management Unit (CDMU) is on standby and ready for deployment should any eventualities arise.
Orders have likewise been issued to all stations and unit commanders to remain vigilant, alert, and ready to assist when necessary.
ICPO Director Col. Kim Legada also urged the public, particularly organizers and supporters, to extend courtesy and respect to authorities in the maintenance of peace and order.
“Let your grievances be heard through a peaceful conduct of the assembly,” Legada said.
Meanwhile, the Western Visayas Alliance of Transport Cooperatives (WVATC) Inc., composed of 50 transport cooperatives and associations, did not join the transport strike on Thursday because they have confidence in the government’s public transport modernization program.
“Transport strike is counterproductive and a violation of our franchise. It is not the solution to the challenges we are facing,” WVATC president Sherry Rose Songano said in a media conference on Wednesday.PNA
