NCRPO on full alert September 19 ahead of Martial Law anniversary protests

ASM, Philippine Canadian Inquirer
September 18, 2026

Photo courtesy: PNP National Capital Region Police Office

The National Capital Region Police Office will be placed on full alert starting Saturday, September 19, as authorities prepare for protest actions expected across Metro Manila in connection with the September 21 commemoration of the declaration of Martial Law.

A total of 15,746 police personnel are part of the security contingent for the demonstrations, with authorities preparing to reinforce Metro Manila with additional personnel from Central Luzon, Calabarzon and other regions if needed.

Philippine National Police spokesperson Col. Allen Rae Co said the NCRPO’s transition to full alert will begin at midnight on Saturday. He said full deployment of personnel is expected by 5 p.m. the same day as police position forces ahead of the September 21 activities.

Police are preparing for rallies and other public gatherings expected to mark the 54th anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law.

Security preparations will include crowd dispersal management personnel equipped with standard protective gear such as helmets, shields and batons. Co said police assigned to security operations for the protests will not carry firearms.

The restriction is also consistent with the Public Assembly Act of 1985, or Batas Pambansa Blg. 880, which provides that law enforcement personnel dealing with demonstrators should not carry firearms but may be equipped with riot sticks, shields, helmets and other protective equipment. The law also requires police to observe “maximum tolerance” during public assemblies.

Co said the primary responsibility of police remains protecting the public and infrastructure while maintaining peace and order.

“We have to control pag ‘yung crowd natin ay naging unruly,” Co said, while emphasizing the police force’s responsibility to ensure public safety.

Under BP 880, however, police dispersal of an assembly is subject to specific rules. An authorized public assembly generally cannot be dispersed unless violence breaks out, while isolated incidents of disorder are not by themselves grounds for dispersing an entire gathering.

As of Thursday morning, September 17, the PNP said it had not received information regarding applications for rally permits for the expected demonstrations. Authorities nevertheless acknowledged that peaceful gatherings may take place in designated freedom parks without a permit.

Under Philippine law, a written permit is generally required to organize a public assembly in a public place. A permit is not required for gatherings held in a duly designated freedom park, on private property with the owner’s consent, or on the campus of a government-run educational institution subject to its rules.

Authorities are also preparing traffic and security measures in areas where demonstrations are expected. The Manila Police District has announced road closures and rerouting on September 21 around areas including Mendiola, Liwasang Bonifacio and Ayala Bridge.

The NCRPO has said it will exercise maximum tolerance during the demonstrations while securing rally areas, major roads, transportation facilities and other key locations in the capital region.