To show unity with Cebuanos: PNoy to mark EDSA in Cebu

CEBU, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III is expected to spearhead the activities for the 25th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution on Tuesday at the Capitol grounds.

Director General Jose Mari Oquiñena of the Philippine Information Agency said that Aquino has long been planning to attend a celebration of the EDSA People Power Revolution outside EDSA itself.

He disclosed that Aquino opted to hold the commemoration in Cebu to show unity with Cebuanos after they experienced the destruction brought by the 7.2-magnitude earthquake and supertyphoon Yolanda last year.

“Napili ang Cebu because sabi ni presidente na sana ngayon mapakita natin ‘yung possibilities na mangyari  if  people are working together. He wants to show concrete example of People Power in convergence,” he explained.

The event will be highlighted by the reenactment of  the symbolic “Salubong” march when military forces met with civilians to join forces and exile the Marcos dictatorship during that momentous day along EDSA in 1986.

“But ngayon, it will have a different meaning. It is not just the military meeting up with the civilians but at the same time everybody nagsasalubongan tayo to a common ground, objective at goals for our country,” he told reporters.

The Presidential Security Group has initially requested 800 military personnel to secure the Capitol on Tuesday.

“We will assign police from the province but it depends upon the request of the PSG. But initially they are requesting 800 military,” said Cebu Provincial Police Office deputy provincial director for operation Supt. Renato Malazarte.

Police ready

The security preparations for Aquino’s visit to Cebu for the EDSA People Power Revolution anniversary are all set, said Cebu City Police Office director Senior Supt. Noli Romana.

He said that the security plans for the president’s visit are in place and he already received guidance from the Police Regional Office-7 about it. The city chief is just waiting for the PSG to coordinate with them regarding the specifics and he said he is expecting them to call soon.

“We crafted a security plan for this, actually wala masyadong details, the PSG will be coordinating with us,” he said.

When asked if he is worried over threats that a cause-oriented group is set to stage a rally during that day, the city director said he is not expecting a huge rally.

“I don’t think na aabot to that extent na magkagulo, of course that is our duty to prevent,” he added.

He told reporters that since he assumed the office of the city director he has been amazed at how the Cebuano people love peace.

“The Cebuanos never fail to amuse me, Cebuanos are very peace-loving people and they have one voice,” Romana said.

He added that Cebu will be placed on heightened alert once the president visits Cebu, but he said it is normal to raise the alert status of a place where the president would visit.

Visit to Bantayan

The Cebu Provincial Police Office is also now preparing for the security of Aquino when he is set to visit typhoon-stricken Bantayan Island in northern Cebu later on Tuesday.

CPPO Deputy Provincial Director for Operations Supt. Renato Malazarte said that aside from the preparation in Bantayan Island they will also be augmenting personnel at the Capitol grounds for the EDSA anniversary celebration.

Initially, CPPO will be providing one platoon of policemen from the headquarters in Bantayan Island.

“Duna na man tay kapulisan ngadto ato na lang pun-an,” he said in a phone interview.

Malazarte added they will make sure that the giving of motorized bancas in the town will be in order and secure.

“He will land there by air so no need na ang convoy tabang na lang sa Presidential Security Group,” he said.  —/BRP (FREEMAN)