Security precautions for EDSA celebration in place - NCRPO

MANILA, Philippines - At least 5,000 policemen will secure the 25th EDSA People Power celebration starting tomorrow.

Metro Manila police commander Director Nicanor Bartolome advised motorists to stay away from the People Power Monument area in White Plains Avenue corner EDSA in Quezon City, which will be the center of the celebration, to avoid being inconvenienced.

Bartolome said the security preparations, dubbed Task Force “Manila Shield” are intended to ensure the safe conduct of the weeklong celebration.

Bartolome also directed his five district directors to hold dialogues with rally organizers to deter any attempt to disrupt the EDSA activities.

In coordination with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and event organizers, the National Capital Region Police Office would be implementing traffic re-routing schemes along key areas on Feb. 22 to 25.

Traffic aides will be deployed and appropriate signs will be installed to guide motorists of the alternate routes.

Police will also be deployed to provide area security and traffic assistance for major events, such as:

• Exhibit of the Inaugural at SM North EDSA, on Feb. 17-27;

• Exhibit of the Revolution at Ayala Museum, on Feb. 21;

• Book launching of “Noynoy: Triumph of a People’s Campaign,” also on Feb. 21;

• Inauguration of the AFP Museum and medical mission at Camp Aguinaldo on Feb. 22;

• Trade Fair (People Powered Markets) at the NBC Tent, Taguig City, Feb. 22-23;

• Pilipino GOT Bukas at Rizal High School, Pasig City; on Feb. 23;

• EDSA Babies Expo at La Salle Greenhills, San Juan City; also on Feb. 23;

• Unveiling of Cardinal Sin statue and offering of flowers at the Ninoy and Cory Statues at Rizal Park, Manila on Feb. 24;

• Freedom Tour, which will run until Feb. 26, and,

• Flag raising ceremony and breakfast at the People Power Monument on Feb. 25.

The NCRPO said the implementation of the traffic re-routing scheme would start on Feb. 22.

All northbound private shall turn right at J. Vargas St., turn right to San Miguel Ave, take U-turn slot to Meralco Ave. then turn left to Ortigas Ave.

Other possible routes for private vehicles: take Guadex then turn left to San Miguel Ave towards Ortigas Ave., turn left E. Rodriguez Jr. Avenue, then turn left to Boni Serrano Avenue and turn right to EDSA; from Boni Serrano Ave. shall turn right Katipunan Avenue or turn right 20th Avenue then turn left P. Tuazon Blvd, right EDSA; from 20th Ave shall turn left Aurora Blvd, all the way to EDSA.

PUVs shall turn right to Shaw Blvd. and turn left to San Miguel Ave then turn right to Ortigas Ave, turn left E. Rodriguez Jr. Ave, then turn left to Boni Serrano Avenue and turn right to EDSA.

Other possible routes for PUVs: from Boni Serrano Ave. turn right to 20th Avenue then turn left P. Tuazon Blvd then turn right towards EDSA, or from 20th Ave. turn left to Aurora Blvd, all the way to EDSA.

All southbound vehicles shall turn right Aurora Blvd, left at Gilmore straight to Ortigas Ave. all the way to EDSA;

From EDSA, vehicles shall turn right Boni Serrano Ave. left Gilmore Ave straight Ortigas Ave. all the way to EDSA.

GMA can also attend rites

Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo can also attend the 25th anniversary of the People Power Revolution, Malacañang said yesterday.

Speaking over government-run dzRB radio, deputy presidential spokesman Abigail Valte said President Aquino has always been consistent during the presidential campaign that there has to be closure to anomalies in the previous administration.

She said it doesn’t matter to Aquino who comes to EDSA.

“EDSA does not belong to one family alone, it belongs to all Filipinos. He has always said that there can be no reconciliation without justice,” she said.

Maria Montelibano, a cousin of Aquino’s who heads the EDSA preparations, said all former presidents are invited to the occasion, including the key figures of the revolt, like Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and Sen. Gregorio Honasan.

Valte called on the people, including the youth, or the so-called EDSA babies or those born in February 1986, to join the gathering this week, where a series of activities have been slated in commemoration of the peaceful revolt.

For the youth “this is the most opportune time to be one with the rest of the nation to see what’s its really like to be in EDSA,” she said.

In celebration of the 25th anniversary of the peaceful People Power Revolution on Feb. 25, the raging network war among three of the country’s biggest television networks will not be felt, since all the stars of all TV stations will be there to join the festivities.

 This will be the case during the highlight of the EDSA I commemoration, where a live musical variety show will be held at Feb. 25 starting 8 p.m. at White Plains Avenue in Quezon City, where Filipino artists from the Kapamilya (ABS-CBN), Kapuso (GMA 7) and Kapatid (ABC 5) networks are joining.

“It’s a mixed dance, music, some theater, a little mixed media… and this will be all OPM,” the People Power Commission member said. 

The artists, according to singer-comedian Ogie Alcasid, are waiving their talent fees. Hosts will be Alcasid himself, popular TV talk show host Kris Aquino (Mr. Aquino’s youngest sister), Ryan Agoncillo and Dingdong Dantes.

The EDSA People Power Commission, headed by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr., prepared a series of activities to celebrate the occasion, which carries the theme: “Pilipino Ako, Ako Ang Lakas ng Pagbabago.”

The celebration started last Feb. 17 and will end on Feb. 27. Activities include book launchings, photo exhibits by Sonny Camarillo, planting of some 50,000 trees, unveiling of markers, cultural shows, Freedom Tours and the live OPM concert.

On Feb. 23, a 40-hour vigil in 25 churches across the country will start and end on Feb. 25.

Highlights include a boodle lunch with the President and some 2,500 people who will be at the EDSA strip to rekindle the spirit of sharing that transpired a quarter of a century ago that catapulted his mother, the late President Cory Aquino, to power in February 1986.

The Philippine Overseas Employment Agency will also hold a job fair featuring 5,000 jobs.

In Malacañang, a Kalayaan Marker will be unveiled on Feb. 26 and the personalities who played significant roles during the EDSA People Power Revolution will be given recognition.

The People Power Commission said the activities for the 25th anniversary of People Power will show the world that the Filipinos are once again a “people united.”

Montelibano said no government funds were used for the festivities. “This is a private endeavor, this is more of a Public-Private Partnership. A lot of this is on voluntary basis.”

Secretary Herminio Coloma said the theme song “Handog ng Pilipino sa Mundo” says it all, at a time when other countries have emulated the bloodless revolt of the Philippines 25 years ago, like that of Egypt and Tunisia.

“The EDSA brand of peaceful change. People Power being the impetus for transforming society is our legacy to the world in terms of shaping the future of nations. And until today, that legacy lives on because of areas of the world that had been under authoritarian regimes,” he said.

“These authoritarian regimes are now being transformed into areas where people are clabbering for the exercise of basic rights and freedoms. And it so happens that at this historical juncture, the Middle East has become the focus of these developments,” Coloma said. – With Delon Pocalla