PNP to deploy at least 500 for impeachment trial

MANILA, Philippines – At least 500 personnel will be put on standby in the Senate area Monday by the Philippine National Police — in time for the start of impeachment proceedings against Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona.

PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Agrimero Cruz Jr said they will mobilize civil disturbance management and traffic personnel, Benjie Liwanag Jr of radio dzBB reported early Saturday.

Most of the civil disturbance management personnel will be coming from the Metro Manila police, Cruz added.

Cruz said that to secure VIPs at the impeachment trial, 42 personnel from the PNP Police Security Protection Group will likewise be deployed. Several VIPs are expected to attend the first day of Corona’s impeachment trial at the Senate in Pasay City.

This came as the PNP lowered the alert level in Metro Manila from full alert to heightened alert.

Police have been on full alert in Metro Manila since last weekend, when President Benigno Aquino III claimed a terrorist attack could threaten the Feast of the Black Nazarene. He earlier called on Filipinos to exercise “maximum vigilance and discipline” leading up to and during the Black Nazarene procession on Monday, Jan 9, 2012, as a necessary precaution over reported “heightened risk.”

Rappler however reported that military intelligence information upon which the President’s decision was based did not appear to be as solid.

Malacañang took several preventive measures to head off the alleged terrorist threat, including having telecommunication firms cut off signals to the area covered by the procession. – Rappler.com