Police expects peaceful Labor Day celebration
Iloilo City Police Office Director Sr. Supt. Wesley Barayuga expects a peaceful Labor Day celebration today though more or less 1,000 members of militant organizations will convene at the new capitol grounds for a rally. Police is in full alert status to maintain peace and order.
Barayuga said uniformed and non-uniformed police personnel will be deployed around the city to keep an eye among the rallying groups.
He said, this is to protect the rallyists from any group that might sabotage the peaceful conduct of the rally.
The police hoisted a full alert status since Wednesday night in preparation for the Labor Day-related activities. They designed a plan, Oplan Trabahador to maintain peace and order and same time protect the rallyists from any harm.
Militant groups lead by the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) – Panay will convene in two converging points, Jaro for the central and northern towns and in Molo for those coming from the southern part of Iloilo. They will gather in their designated converging places and walk until the capitol grounds.
Barayuga said Bayan-Panay chair Aurelio Bosque has applied for a permit at the city government for the holding of the rally.
Bayan-Panay along with different militant organizations will dramatize their grievances against the government.
Barayuga said there are no records of violent Labor Day celebrations in the city, however, the police should not lower their guards down.
He said police will conduct checkpoints in the city's entrance and exit areas to prevent any plans to sow violence during the Labor Day celebration.