By Priam F. Nepomuceno & Christopher Lloyd T. Caliwan
MANILA, Aug. 31 (PNA) — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has lowered the alert status of all its Camp Crame-based units and offices as the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) voluntarily calls off its protest actions in EDSA and Shaw Boulevard, Monday.
“The alert status of Crame-based offices/unit is downgraded from Full Alert to Heightened Alert effective 12 noon, Aug. 31,” the PNP information office said in a text message.
With this development, Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II said efforts are now underway to restore roads blocked by the protesters to the riding public.
The protest actions which started Thursday in front of the Department of Justice compound on P. Faura, Manila was in wake of alleged interference by Secretary Leila De Lima in their internal affairs.
INC supporters later moved to EDSA Friday night and created a massive jam which stranded thousands of commuters during that time.
He added that government, especially the PNP, spearheaded this effort.
Roxas also lauded the PNP, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, local and barangay officials for keeping tight watch on the proceedings, despite fatigue, heat, and drenching rains, in order to ensure that nothing untoward will take place.
“There were many who wanted to exploit the protest for their personal ends, mahalagang naging mahinahon ang lahat para maiwasang may masaktan kung magkaroon ng kaguluhan,” Roxas stressed.
He added that dialogues between the government and INC officials in the past few days cleared the misunderstanding. (PNA)