PNP deploys nearly 60,000 cops for events marking Duterte’s birthday

Nearly 60,000 officers across the country have been deployed by the Philippine National Police (PNP) to secure events marking the birthday of former President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday, March 28, 2025. INQUIRER FILES

MANILA, Philippines — Nearly 60,000 officers across the country have been deployed by the Philippine National Police (PNP) to secure events marking the birthday of former President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday.

According to the PNP data, it had 15,539 personnel for police visibility, 11,501 for checkpoints and border control points, 9,671 for foot patrol, 9,459 for mobile patrol, 5,878 for civil disturbance management, 3,965 for motorcycle patrol, 3,457 for traffic assistance; and 169 for drone operations.

In a press briefing at Camp Crame on Friday, PNP Public Information Office chief Col. Randulf Tuaño specifically noted that the police force was monitoring 10 events in support of the former president in the Davao Region, the Dutertes’ bailiwick.

“[S]a PRO 11 (Police Regional Office 11)… sa mga assessment ay nananatiling payapa at tahimik yung mga pro-Duterte rally,” Tuaño said.

(At PRO 11… their assessments showed the pro-Duterte rallies remain peaceful and calm.)

READ: Rodrigo Duterte marks 80th birthday in ICC detention

Duterte is marking his 80th birthday on March 28 at the International Criminal Court (ICC) custodial facility in The Hague, Netherlands.

He was arrested on March 11 through an ICC warrant alleging crimes against humanity said to have been committed during his bloody anti-narcotics campaign.

READ: PNP on heightened alert for start of local campaign period

Tuaño added that the deployment was also in light of the law enforcement agency’s “heightened alert” status amid the local campaign period, which began also on March 28.