MANILA, Philippines — The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) is closely monitoring potential rallies and surprise public demonstrations across Metro Manila following recent developments in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
NCRPO chief Police Brig. Gen. Christopher Abrahano stated that Metro Manila police personnel have been directed to stay alert and ready for various security scenarios, including lightning protests.
“Our responsibility is to ensure public safety and maintain peace and order while respecting the people’s constitutional right to peaceful assembly and expression. I expect all our units to remain vigilant, prepared, and capable of responding to any situation with discipline and professionalism,” Abrahano said.
The heightened security posture comes after the prosecution decided to drop three charges against the Vice President, keeping only a single article of impeachment centered on allegations of unexplained wealth. This procedural shift drew sharp criticism from Duterte’s defense team and supporters, who argued that dropping the other counts deprives her of a fair chance to address all accusations.
In response to the tension, police commanders throughout the metropolis were instructed to evaluate security risks, coordinate deployment effectively, and maintain clear lines of communication to manage crowd control smoothly.
Abrahano also strongly reminded law enforcers to maintain strict political neutrality and keep personal views out of their professional duties.
“As police officers, we serve the Filipino people regardless of political affiliation. We must remain neutral, uphold the rule of law, and perform our duties fairly, professionally, and without bias,” said Abrahano.
“Our role is not to take sides in political issues but to protect the public and ensure that the law is observed,” he stressed.